And another area that residents brought attention to was crime on the seas. One resident in particular stressed how important it was to get more of our security forces out in the waters. He explained that even some officers in Dangriga were working with the criminals to target hardworking fisherfolk - especially with some private companies buying conch for over $30 a pound. It makes those fishers a target for sea piracy and while the BPD and the BCG have had their differences, the ComPol says they need to work together to protect the fishers.
Reporter
"I know you've had a little beef with coast guard earlier and I know thats settled, so will you try to work with them to monitor the seas more?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I don't have a beef with coast guard. I've never had a beef with coast guard. I just believe in calling a spade a spade and when I have something to say, I say what I have to say and who gets vex, its their business, but I will say what I need to say and I'm going to be honest. Myself and the commander coast guard we have no beef. He said certain things in public, I do not agree with it, we discussed the matter and we moved on and that is done, water under bridge, but yes I am going to arrange a meeting with commander coast guard again and see how we can collaborate together, putting joint patrols on the sea, because the issue of sea piracy is one that we must find a way to address in other to make our fishermen feel safer on the waters."
"We have been hearing this over and over again that there are those persons who operate on our waters carrying high powered weapons with impunity and threatening honest hard-working fishermen, whether from Dangriga or from Sarteneja or from Belize City. Our fisherfolks are being threatened and we need to do something to see how we can help them and so we are going to work with coast guard and see how we can put together some joint effort to alleviate this concern."
