And turning now to Belize City - we today met the Police National Commander of Operations, Dr Richard Rosado on the ground in the Martin's area. He was there checking up on young gang-affiliated men now working with the Leadership Intervention Unit program - and with other gang figures in the area.
We took the opportunity to ask him about the proposal for a Firearms and Ammunition Control Board - which would take the responsibility of gun licensing out of the sole discretion of the commissioner of police - who has admitted to receiving fraudulent vetting for at least one questionable applicant.
Today, Rosado said he supports the initiative and cited evidence that it works:
Dr Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"I had the opportunity to speak to one of my friends in Jamaica. He is a senior superintendent of police in the Jamaican National police force. And he informed me that prior to 2005 the sole authority for the issuance, renewal and revocation of firearm license was on the commissioner of police in Jamaica and back then there was the perception of corruption in terms of the issuance because of the process being circumvented and it was not until 2005 that the firearm licensing authority was established in Jamaica on a parliamentary act as a statutory body under the ministry of National security in Jamaican and from since then they have seen a drastic decrease in the level of, or well perception of corruption and hence the reason why they are seeing more transparency and accountability in the issuance of firearm licenses in Jamaica."
"So I am confident that if the government proceeds with the legislating of the firearm authority and taking it away from the commissioner of police we will see the perception of corruption decrease and we will also see that there is greater transparency and accountability."
The proposed board comprises a magistrate, the police officer in charge of dangerous goods, and the CEO from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
