Belize sees bloody and brutal 2016, 135 people murdered

The Police Department attributed most of the senseless murders to gang violence concentrated mainly in Belize City and occasionally reaches surrounding rural communities.

Police Commissioner Allen Whylie told the media: “To my recollection we are at, I believe, 135 murders, which is not where we would have wanted to be, and not where we had expected we would be at the end of December; we still have another week to go and that figure could change.”

He emphasized, “I can tell you that many of the murders, especially of recent, have not only been heinous but senseless. We’ve had murders between friends drinking; we’ve had murders between friends speaking about religion; we’ve had people entering houses and senselessly shooting persons.”

With the start of the new year quickly approaching, Whylie made it clear that police have increased patrols along the highways and in Belize City. He says the patrols have made a dent in the level of crime.

“I have always indicated, as police we have always got to be right, and all that is required is a split second for the criminal to get an opportunity,” he said.

The ComPol says he and other senior police officials will continue to plan and develop the most efficient ways to fight crime. He said that with the start of the new year, the department will be introducing new strategies which will be shared with the public.