In a quiet move by the Belize Police Department, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye’s Superintendent of Police Luis Castellanos was transferred out of the island with Assistant Superintendent of Police Henry Jemmott taking control of the office while a new head replaces the vacant position.
Speculations have been that Castellanos was removed from San Pedro due to the spike in criminal activity in the early months of 2015 that have included murders, shootings and even threats made to the Area Representative and San Pedro Town Mayor. Sr. Superintendent of Police and Deputy Officer Commanding of Eastern Division, Edward Broaster, says that this is not the case and that Castellanos expertise is expected to be used elsewhere in the country as he just recently concluded a FBI course in Quantico, Virginia, USA.
Reports are that changes in command (replacements and transfers) in the police department around the country will take place and announced in early April by the Commissioner of Police.
Broaster has also been temporarily reposted in San Pedro and commented that the department has been doing much work in San Pedro lately to ensure the tranquil and safe island environment. He says that the crime situation has been addressed and that the police has been acquiring more resources needed to monitor the lagoon area.
“We are looking at acquiring some jet skis and possibly hover crafts and drones as well to patrol the north portion of San Pedro,” commented Broaster to News 5 of Belize City. “Also we’ve been having community meetings with the public and trying to establish neighborhood watch groups in other areas of San Pedro especially in the San Pedrito and the San Juan and San Mateo areas.”
