The issue of crime and violence is one that has the government, the police and numerous organizations searching for answers. This afternoon at 4:00 in Belmopan, the University of Belize which has suffered the loss of two of its students in the past few months is now galvanizing its student body to find a solution.
They began today with a forum on crime under the banner bearing the name of 17 year old student Trinidad Sanchez who was murdered a couple of weeks ago. 7NEWS covered the crimes and today we were at the rally as Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Martin Cuellar today told us that the university will not continue to stand by as crime escalates.
Dr. Martin Cuellar, Dean of Student Affairs
"We at the University after experiencing the loss of two students to violent murders this semester decided that it was important and appropriate for the national university to become a catalyst for the positive changes that we need in Belize today; to create an atmosphere in which students can study, they can learn, and can develop without having to worry if they go home this weekend will they actually live to come back and continue their studies on Monday. And so the way that we think it is appropriate for us to do this is to create a national conversation by bringing together members of the university community and the NGO community, the government agencies so that we can share ideas; so that those who are in entrusted with keeping our social safety can hear the message of those us who are living and receiving within that safety net."
In tomorrow night's newscast Alfonso Noble will have a full report on that rally as he speaks with UB students who participated in the rally.