Crime Stoppers and Police Department Distribute School Supplies to Belize City Families

Crime Stoppers Belize, the Belize Police Department and other community-based organizations were highly active today, joining forces for a Back-to-School Bag Drive at Yabra Green in Belize City.  The initiative was carried out in partnership with the Community Policing Unit and the Leadership Intervention Unit. Hundreds of families received school bags filled with essential supplies as they prepared for the opening of the new academic year.  Organizers say the drive was intended not only to ease the financial burden on parents, but also to invest in young people and strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Chairperson of Crime Stoppers Belize, Lauren Reardon Smith, says initiatives like these are especially important for families needing additional support.

Community policing officers and members of the Leadership Intervention Unit also interacted with children and their parents throughout the morning. Senior Superintendent Gerald Jones, Commander of the National Community Oriented Policing Unit, says the outreach demonstrates that policing involves more than enforcing the law.

Organizers hope the annual initiative will continue growing, allowing more children to begin the school year with the supplies and confidence they need to succeed.