Caye Caulker Protest Grows Over Fears Police Station Land Was Sold

Residents of Caye Caulker continued their protest today for a second consecutive day, voicing concern over reports that the land currently occupied by the island’s police station may have been sold.  The demonstration, led in part by members of the Caye Caulker Village Council, follows circulating claims that the property is no longer secured for public use. Protesters argue that the island stands to lose a critical piece of infrastructure if the station is relocated without proper consultation.  However, Love News understands that a title search of the property shows that the land remains in the name of the Belize Police Department. Senior officials within the Ministry of Home Affairs have also pushed back against the claims, describing the speculation as unfounded and maintaining that there are no plans to sell the property.  Sources indicate that part of the concern stems from the size of the parcel itself. The land reportedly measures approximately fifty-five by seventy-five feet, raising questions about whether it is sufficient to accommodate a fully staffed police station along with living quarters for officers.  Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher, weighed in on the issue, noting that while he is not fully familiar with all aspects of the situation, clearer communication could have helped to avoid the current tension.

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service: “I certainly agree that there was a lack of communication in the beginning that I do believe that the duly elected village council should have been consulted. There should have been a meeting to discuss the plans. I don’t necessarily think that it’s a bad idea what is happening. I think that the police station will be built, whether it is built there or built somewhere else the island will be getting a modern police station. Now, if you want to look at other amenities that the island that the residents of Caye Caulker are looking at because I’ve heard that they’re speaking about a welcome center or something to that effect then certainly that discussion has to happen. But where the police station is built is less important than the fact that it’s going to be built. And I think that that is important. But in the beginning, that information should have been communicated and there should have been a proper dialogue with the relevant authorities out there. That really does not fall under my ministry. So I wouldn’t be able to comment on that, whether the Ministry of Home Affairs is reaching out I’m just giving you my opinion as to why the matter has gotten to where it has, which was unnecessary. There could have been discussions beforehand.”

According to the residents, they will continue to press for clarity, as they call on authorities to provide definitive assurances about the future of policing infrastructure on the island./