There are 7 days before Christmas and downtown Belize City and the police have certainly been busy. Besides an increase in shoppers there is also an increase in foot patrols by police. Today 7NEWS caught up with some of the officers walking the streets and found out what they are doing to make your shopping safer.
Policeman: 'So the crowd increase in Belize City you know it is up so we are doing extra patrols and we want everybody to be safe, we see people shopping so we want everybody to be safe, so we are checking with you all that everything is okay, you know.'
These are just two of the law enforcement officers who have been pounding the pavements in Belize City to make Christmas shoppers and business owners feel secured. Since the police anti crime Christmas campaign got under way on December First there have been a few incidents.
Sgt Telford Moody, Officer on patrol
"Shoplifting, a few robberies but mostly shoplifting."
This year, the police decided to be proactive and started the operation earlier on December First.
Sgt. Telford Moody,
"Well we stop and speak to the shoppers to the business owners to tell them to be more careful, more protective when people come around to do their shopping."
Gerald Westby, Police Commissioner
"The church services will be properly police to because that is a great tradition in Belize and we will make sure that we have police across the country."
For example this brand new ranger truck, a donation from Prime Minister Said Musa through the kind efforts of the embassy of the Dominican Republic will definitely improve mobile patrols in neighboring Ladyville Village.
G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer
"It could not have come at a more timely moment because Ladyville has been hurting for a vehicle. We know that they have only had one vehicle and so it had hampered their quick response and responding to reports on a whole so and they will be able to get around more."
Sgt. Marcia Moody, O.C, Family Violence Unit, Belize City
"That is something that is very demanding for the police, heavy work, extra work when I say extra you have to work your normal tours then you have
to put in an additional amount during the night for the shoppers to ensure that they are safe right because these are the times that you find people on the street are buying getting ready for their Christmas."
Nineteen year veteran Sgt Marcia Moody was recently awarded female Officer of the year for Belize City's Patrol Branch.
Sgt. Marcia Moody,
"When I was attending high school I was walking on North Front Street when is aw female at the swing bridge doing a traffic check. At that time they had the white gloves so they were very very attractive. At that point so I decided that that is what I want to do so then I work towards that. And here I am now presently working hard dedicated, committed, always available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. I enjoy my work."
Which is very good news for those who count on an increase in police presence especially around this time of the year.
Man #1: Well I feel much more secured when they are around you know. It is we'll secure.
Woman #1: I feel very safe Jackie because I am here from four in the morning until eleven in the night and from the time I get here they are already here so I am happy for it.
For 7News Jacqueline Godwin.
The police are being assisted by members of the Belize Defense Force.
