Since the start of the week we've been reporting on the explosion of violence in the outside and this morning the police started doing something about it, something very serious. For the second time in two years, they have declared a southside state of emergency. The last time was in September of 2018, it covered 6 areas and lasted 30 days.

This one covers eight areas and it's in 8 areas all across the southside.

Cherisse Halsall was on the ground with the police this afternoon and has the full report.

Belize City is in a state of lockdown today and it's not because of the Coronavirus. Instead, a state of emergency has been declared in 8 areas to suppress criminal activity that surged in the last 48 hours.

Hon. Michael Peyrefitte - Minister of National Security
"As you know there's been a recent increase in extremely senseless violence within the city. You know it's bad enough when somebody dies in a matter of violence, it is extremely extra painful when it involves the death of an innocent child. Based on those activities, the Ministry of National Security has deemed it necessary and sought the approval of the Governor General and we have gotten it, for him to declare a state of emergency and for his to sign some regulations governing the activities to the undertaking by the police, the BDF and Coast Guard if necessary in the declared and de-marked areas."

It's a response to 48 hours of violence which saw 6 people, including two five year old children, murdered and 8 others shot.

Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"Over the past few days we have seen that these activities have become more increased and the criminals seem to become more embolden in carrying out these senseless and heinous acts. It is reckless for one to just indiscriminately fire gunshots in a house not knowing who or what they're shooting at and when children are on the receiving end of those bullets, it is heart wrenching. I'm sure that all of us in this room are parents and we wouldn't want our children to suffer that faith but unfortunately it happened to some parents and we have to sympathize with them."

Those zones are as follows:

Marco Vidal - ACP, Commander of Operations
"Zone #1 will be all that area bounded on the east by City Street on the west by Central American boulevard and running north to south from the Belize River to Vernon Street encompassing all streets within."

"Zone #2 is all that area bounded on the east by Albert Street on the west by east collet canal, by cemetery lane and north by cemetery road and Orange Street encompassing all those streets within."

"Zone #3 will be all that area bounded on the east by Oleander Street, on the west by McKay Boulevard and running north to south from the Belize River to Mahogany Street, encompassing all streets within."

"Zone #4 is all that area bounded on the east by McKay Boulevard, on the west by Chetumal Boulevard and running north to south from the riverside street to Mahogany Street into holy Emmanuel Street, encompassing all streets within."

"Zone #5 is all that area bounded on the east of Western Avenue, on the west by Chetumal Boulevard, south by George Price highway and north by Mahogany Street and holy Emmanuel Street, encompassing all streets within."

"Zone #6 is all that area bounded east by youth for the future drive, south by Vernon street and City street and north by the Belize river, encompassing all streets within."

"Zone #7 is all that area bounded west by east collet canal, north by Belize River, east by west canal and south by cemetery road, encompassing all streets within."

"Zone number #8 is all that area of land bounded east by Central American boulevard, north by the George Price highway, south by Neal Penn road extension, west by Baldwin drive and all streets within."

And the Ministry of National Security is doing more than just sympathizing. Their operation started at 3 am and at this hour they've deployed 250 Police and BDF personnel and detainer 83 persons.