Last night many Belizeans experienced their first night of countrywide curfew from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am.
It's a measure put in place under the state of emergency and at least in Belize City, it was announced by the chilling drone of cold war era sirens. Even so there were some who didn't get the message. And tonight police are already reporting that they have had to enforce curfew measures against those who were ignoring them.
Police say that yesterday, they arrested and charged 74 persons countrywide for various offenses under the curfew regulations. 35 were charged with breach of curfew. 15 were charged with being unable to provide a reason for movement outside of the curfew. 5 were charged with keeping an establishment open when it was required for that business place to be closed. 3 were charged with wandering about without a valid reason, and 1 was charged with failing to comply with quarantine conditions. And this evening commissioner of police Chester Williams said that some Belizeans don't take heed and don't take anything seriously.
Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"It seems like some of us Belizeans don't take heed and we don't take things seriously, but the Attorney General said that persons who violate the regulations and primarily the curfew regulations are going to be arrested and charged and so there are a number of persons who were out last night despite the fact that they were warned and so we are not going to be warning no more, but rather we are going to be making arrest. Yes we understand that there are some persons that need to be out going to work like the doctors, nurses, stevedores - depending on what time they are working, firemen etc., if they are found during the curfew hours going to work or coming from work, they are safe. But any other persons outside that - if it is that you don't have a medical emergency, don't be on the streets, because the police is going to arrest you."
"To be honest I was disappointed with Belize City, because I live in Belize City and I saw a number of persons out last night after the curfew and I think Belize City only had like 10 arrests and I said to the commander today I need to see better tomorrow morning. Dangriga did well. Dangriga had I think 23 arrest. Followed closely was Belmopan. Corozal also made a few. The cayes made a few, but Belize City I expected much more out of Belize City, so I will see what happen between now and tomorrow morning. I'll be out again during the curfew hours driving around making sure that the streets are clear and point out to officers what need to be pointed out with a view to ensure that the objective of the curfew is achieved."
And today a number of the 75 pleaded guilty to breach of curfew - and they faced a significant fine. They were each fined $5,000 dollars to be paid by August or in default face 2 years in jail.
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