The Police Department is under fire again tonight. But the difference this time is that complaints aren't about the abuse of power. Rather tonight we'll introduce you to two fairly upstanding Belizeans with complaints which go the very core of the police's mantra of serving and protect. These people we'll introduce you to say the police are only serving and protecting a few.
Tourism village vendor Ellen Woods and Videographer Fortunato Noble aren't the ghetto youths or habitual criminals who normally complain about the police. Both are gainfully employed citizens who shared different but equally disturbing stories of unfair treatment by the police because the way they see it law and order in the city is for sale.
Ellen Woods, Claims Unequal Treatment under the Law
"The law doesn't treat people fairly. What I want to say is that when I told the Chinese people that I was going to the police station they told me I am wasting my time going there because all the Chinese will do is pay off the police them. I don't think that is fair. I don't have any money to pay them off so that is probably why I am going through this. "
We pick up Ellen Woods' story last Thursday afternoon when she admittedly got physical with the owner of the New Chon Sing Restaurant on North Front Street. Ellen claims 4 people attacked her and with all that she still had to beg the police to press charges.
Ellen Woods, Claims Unequal Treatment under the Law
"I went to the police station to make a report and I pointed out all who hit me that day. But the only person the police arrested was the lady. It was like the police wasn't even on my side. He was trying to get me to apologize and trying to get the Chinese lady to apologize to me. It was like he was trying to get me to drop the case. And I told him no I am not going to drop the case because I don't see how I am wrong."
"Last week Thursday they took my statement but they didn't take her statement. They just took her statement yesterday and they came to my house and picked me up yesterday and they charged both of us yesterday. I was the one who pressed charges on her and then the police turned around and let her press charges on me."
Keith Swift,
Both of you were charged with harm?
Ellen Woods,
"Yes both of us were charged with harm."
"What I am basing on is that all of them attacked me. How come they only brought her to the police station when all of them attacked me."
And the story is no different for Fortunato Noble who claims he had a gun pointed in his face by a Chinese businessman at the Colors Bar on Newton Barracks. After that scare, noble says he went to the Queen Street Station to report the incident and that's when he was then arrested. And here is the clincher while he was sitting in the pisshouse his alleged assailant was serving the police officers a late night snack.
Fortunato Noble, Claims Unequal Treatment under the Law
"I was telling them we came here to make a report and they said get behind the counter. Get behind the counter they said. I started to make noise but not using any indecent words but making telling that i came to make a report the same way the Chinese man came to make a report. Why don't you deal with me? You are dealing with the Chinese man and you have other people here who can take the report."
Keith Swift,
So you are telling me that a Chinese man pointed a load gun in your face?
Fortunato Noble,
"Yes that's what I am saying. He pulled out a gun, cocked it, and loaded it and then pointed it at us. It would have only been a matter of him squeezing the trigger and one of us would have been dead."
Keith Swift,
And he was not the one arrested. You were?
Fortunato Noble,
"I was the one arrested."
"And whilst I was on lockdown the Chinese were back and forth to the (EDO) Executive Duty Officer and I was told (and this is hearsay but it can be confirmed) that the Chinese people that were there left the station and went. They returned with food in containers and brought back six plates of food for the police officers that were there. Whether it was just generosity out of the kindness of their heart or bribery I don't know."
Keith Swift,
So the same Chinese man who had just pointed a gun in your face brought food for the police who were on duty?
Fortunato Noble,
"The same Chinese man that had just pointed the weapon at us and had just given his report to the station and that his report was dealt with and I was charged for had brought food for them."
Keith Swift,
While he was feeding the police officers where were you?
Fortunato Noble,
"I was feeding the mosquitoes in the cell."
Both their experiences have left a sour taste in the mouth of both these customers and citizens. And as much as they feel they can't turn to the police for justice, Ellen also agrees that well she can't really take her dollar elsewhere.
Ellen Woods, Claims Unequal Treatment under the Law
"I don't even want to buy from a Chinese shop anymore but what can we do. There is no Belizean shop. The only shops we have in Belize are Chinese. I think Belizean people need to do better. We need to make shops so Belizeans can support them and we can stop supporting the Chinese."
While that may be a bit harsh, in the end all Fortunato and Ellen really want is justice or least the appearance of it and that shouldn't bet too much to ask, nor does it have a price.
Ellen Woods was charged with harm in Magistrate's Court today. She pleaded not guilty and was released on signed bail of $500 plus a surety in the same amount. Fortunato Noble had his court arraignment on June 7th where he was read charges of using threatening and indecent words. He too pleaded not guilty and was released on signed bail.