So, while the police get ready to investigate their own about that incident in Belmopan, a group of residents from Belize City are accusing police of maliciously enforcing the curfew regulations in unintended ways for harassment purposes.
This morning, a number of the newly charged defendants showed up to the Belize City Magistrate's Court, which, as viewers are aware, is basically operating only downsized capacity due to the COVID-19 threat.
Several of those defendants complained bitterly that they are hardworking Belizeans who still need to put food on their tables, even though there is a State of Emergency in effect.
Two such individuals told us that they had legitimate reasons for being out of their homes during daylight hours. Here's how they explained why they disagree with the huge court fines that they are now facing:
Malik Green - Accused of Violating Curfew
"I got arrested and charged. I got detained Saturday, 10 o'clock exact, a.m. I am a construction worker. I don't give trouble. I don't mess with anybody. I try to work for [what is] mine. I am working 2 days a week, $40, and police, and police will charge me for curfew. Curfew, my brother. $5,000 I have to pay now to the government. Why will I pay $5,000? For no reason, they are taking advantage of us big time."
"Now I am going to court. I don't know what will happen to me. I am out here by myself. I have to look after myself. I have to pay rent and everything else. I don't have any water at my house. My boss allowed me to bathe at my workplace."
Reporter
"The 8 o'clock p.m. curfew, were you out later than that?"
Malik Green
"No, this was a big 10 o'clock in the morning."
Reporter
"So, you're saying that police have no reason to accuse you of breaking this curfew."
Malik Green
"No, because I gave him my reason for being out but then, [it's] like he has something against me, you understand."
Pamela Tate - Concerned Aunt
"Yesterday evening, I passed by my sister's house and picked up some food. My nephew works all the way at the Tile Factory on the road. He never did come out. He came to get food from my sister. He didn't even have the opportunity to get the food. What they did, they took him and threw him - at 3:30 in the afternoon, threw him into a pick-up. More than one person was out there. They never - only him they took. He is in court right now, charge for curfew, at 3:30 in the afternoon?"
"When the curfew starts from 8 in the night until 5 in the morning? How can that be broken? Be real."
We have seen a concluded case of a person accused of violating the curfew regulations. That defendant was sentenced to pay a fine of $5,000, and if he defaults on payment, he will spend 2 years in prison for it.
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