There were heavy downpours countrywide late Sunday night and true to
form, thieves took advantage of the clapping thunder and hard rain and went
to work. In downtown Belize City at least a couple of vehicle owners faced with
unexpected expenses trying to repair the damage that was done to their vehicles.
Now, car break-ins happen all the time in Belize City but these car owners say
it’s not the first time that this has happened and they are alarmed at
the frequency with which it’s been happening especially along one of the
main streets in Belize City. They appealed for increased patrols when we spoke
to them yesterday.
Kamal Banjani, Victim of Vehicle Break in
“This is the second time, the first time was one before when they
broke two glasses and cost $250.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“And then I understand on the first incident they went with all four tyres.”
Kamal Banjani,
“Yeah and the four tyres. They took four tyres and put it in on the
blocks, they put it on the blocks and took off the four tyres and it cost about
$700 I spend and last night again.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“When you got up this morning what did you see?”
Kamal Banjani,
“I see the battery is gone and I go back home and get ready and I
come back and see that my window glass is broke.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“I notice the glove compartment as well is opened, did they go with anything
from inside there?”
Kamal Banjani,
“Yes inside there was $10 or $15 in coins and the papers.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“How much you think this second incident will cost you?”
Kamal Banjani,
“For this one, about maybe $400 because $200 for battery and $200
for glass.”
Dami Ana Babani, Victim of Vehicle Break in
“This happens every time. Every time we have to go through this expense
over and over and I mean we cannot take it to insurance all the time so those
are extra expense which we don’t expect.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“What you think prevented them from further breaking into your vehicle?”
Dami Ana Babani,
“I don’t know but they didn’t steal anything, they just
break into the vehicle.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“Did the alarm go off?”
Dami Ana Babani,
“Yes the alarm gone off but it was raining at the time.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
“Would you like to see more police patrol in the area?”
Kamal Banjani,
“Actually we need you know. Last time I reported it to the police
and they didn’t do nothing. Sometimes I don’t call for the police
because I know they will do nothing. I say left it. This is the downtown area
and I don’t understand how they do it in the downtown area.”
Dami Ana Babani,
“We need more police security around here or so because this is happening
all the time. Daytime it is robbery and night time it is breaking into vehicles.
I think we need more policeman out here.”
Belize City police have no leads on these cases.
GST Gives
With all the perverse optimism of a slave driver celebrating the anniversary
of the invention of the whip, Sales Tax Department has been celebrating their 
three year anniversary in many different ways, such as booths being displayed
throughout the country, raffles, and today they added community outreach to
that list. GST Officers were not in their offices collecting tax today, but
instead were at the Mercy Kitchen. They were donating items, performing dances,
singing karaoke, and playing games with the elderly all in the name of charity.
We were there today to find out more.
Delanni Romero,
“Whenever you think of GST you think about collecting and taking so
we’re giving back so I hope everybody could appreciate us giving back
in this capacity.”
Emaun Hyde,
“Why do you feel that the tax is so important that it deserves so many
celebrations and all of this?”
Delanni Romero,
“Like I said before, it is all about giving back and not just taking.
We’re a collection agency for the government but apart from that we also
want the public to know that we appreciate it, it is a part of human lives.
Everybody needs to pay taxes and our department also gives back.”
Andre O’Brien,
“It is not often that we get government agencies bringing goods to
us and it is food kind, things we always need. Entertainment, interacting with
the older people which is something we don’t have often. A lot of times
the older people are left on the back burner, they are forgotten and I applaud
GST for coming out and doing this on their anniversary.”
And the tax collector’s celebration is not over! The tax department
will proceed with other planned activities this week.
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