And, while efforts are being made to discourage price gouging, police will now have to take on the role as first responders in many cases.
This afternoon at a Press conference to introduce new body cams for the police force, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was asked about the role his officers will play in preparing the country for the storm. Here's what he told us:
Chester Williams, COMPOL
"This morning I met with all my commanders from across the country in Belmopan and one of the issues we discussed was the preparation for this storm that is imminent. I believe that by now the first phase is up based on the NEMO advisory and the, as you would know police officers around this time, our primary function is, one. To do search and rescue and two to ensure that the hurricane shelters are manned. We will wait to see when hurricane shelters are opened and people begin to move to these shelters and then we will then have police officers assigned to each shelter to preserve law and order at these shelters. In terms of search and rescue it should be done in conjunction with BDF and Coast guard as you would know we don't have equipment to do search and rescue so we depend heavily on them to be able to. Very us to different areas where we may do so. Police officers are also advised to make sure that they get their own preparation in place looking. After their families because once the storm is near and we might. Go into 12 hour shift system and officers may not be able to go home until this time is over, so ensuring that their family is secure before coming to work at the last opportune time is important for them to also make sure of, so that is where we are at this time."
And the COMPOL added that officers will be increasing patrols up until an hour before Lisa makes landfall, they will also return to patrolling the moment the storm clears.
