One of the priority needs of the San Pedro Police Department has always been transportation, one that has always been lacking making the work of Police Officers even more difficult in the community of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize that has been growing in leaps and bounds. Assisting with this need this week is the San Pedro Town Council that donated a truck and motorcycle on Thursday, February 26, 2015.
Superintendent of the San Pedro Police Department, Luis Castellanos, mentioned that he wished the department would have a vehicle for each of his rotations (more than two trucks) so that the police officers can me more efficient with their duties. He mentioned that the lack of vehicles puts a strain on the only one (or two vehicles at times) that is operational on a daily basis, thus ware and tare is faster.
Requests for more vehicles for the San Pedro Police Department are ongoing to Central Government, the various Ministries, organizations and foreign aid entities, but they are hard to come by, according to Castellanos. At the commencement of his term in office, Mayor Daniel Guerrero was able to donate a pickup truck to the department. Today, at the end of his term he handed over another much needed vehicle to the San Pedro Police, along with a brand new motorcycle and body bags.
“We are now fighting against organized crime; something new to San Pedro and we are learning how to deal with new issues,” commented Mayor Daniel Guerrero. “We have to do anything we can to help out the Police Department in order for them to do their job and protect our island community. Alleviating the department’s needs only helps them to concentrate more in fighting crime.”
Mayor Danny indicated that the motorcycle was acquired through an anonymous donor with the assistance of Armando Graniel Jr. The truck was passed down to the Police Department as the Town Council acquired newer vehicles for their foremen. Custom work on the truck to suit the needs of the Police Department was donated by FC’s Aluminum.
Belize’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Desiree Phillips, thanked the San Pedro Town Council for its generous donation and commented that at the moment she is working with the San Pedro Police on a plan of action that will surely be felt by residents of the island in days to come. Along with Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Russell Blacketh, she promised to work harder in preserving peace in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and urged the community to assist the police in fighting crime.
Mayor Daniel Guerrero promised to donate another motorcycle and a golf cart after the upcoming election in March, while Minister of Tourism and Area Representative, Hon. Manuel Heredia, says he is working hard to acquire two police trucks for the department very soon.
The San Pedro Town Council also donated some body bags to the Police Department
Mayor Daniel Guerrero with Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Russell Blacketh, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Desiree Phillips, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. and Superintendent Luis Castellanos
