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Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English |
2 Cops Got 50k For Landing Narco Plane?
Tonight, 7News has obtained photographic evidence that implicates two police officers in narco activity.
Their names and phone numbers of two police officers were at the top of a handwritten list - which was captured in a picture on a satellite phone. That phone was recovered from an individual in Graham Creek, Toledo - where a drug jet landed on Thursday morning.
And beside both their names was written the figure of 50 thousand US dollars.
These officers were detained last week - but released without charges. Due to the fact that they have not been charged, we have had to redact the image of the document so that the names and phone numbers are not displayed. We asked the Compol about it today:
Jules Vasquez
"We know that there was this drug plane landing. Two police officers, including an inspector, and I believe a sergeant, were detained."
"These people who are detained because their names were on a paper which said, which listed all the persons who received money. And it said that these officers by name had received 50,000 USD to facilitate this drug plane landing. Is that evidence that you all did not believe was credible or you all have chosen to overlook?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Again, I don't think it is going to be fair for you to say that, we overlooked anything. Like you rightly said, those officers were brought in, just as we would have done with any ordinary person."
"They went through the mills. We, we put together an investigative team of senior investigators to investigate that matter, to see if there was anything credible to the information. And so far, we have not been able to unearth anything to indicate that those officers were involved in a plane landing. Of course, yes, the investigation remains active. They have also agreed for the devices to be searched."
"That is going to be done by the DEA agents. And again, the fact that they agreed to that shows how transparent they want to be with the investigation in terms of cooperating. I'm not going to put the cart ahead of the horse at this time. I believe that we can be judged in terms of what we did when we once received information. They were brought in, they were interviewed, and they remained in custody for 48 hours, like we'd have done with any ordinary person. So there was no special treatment given to them. But at the end of the day, we have to be fair to people, if there's nothing to indicate anything further of their involvement, then they had to be released from custody while investigation continues."
Jules Vasquez
"Sir, you recently dismissed a police officer whose name was on a quote unquote "cartel note." These people, their names are on a paper or on a, I should say, on a satellite phone related to this entire narco activity in Graham Creek."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"No, that's not true. Their names were not on no satellite phone. And you cannot compare this with the previous case. It's like comparing night and day. You know, I'm sure the circumstances involving that particular officer. it is not just today that we have been hearing about him. It has been for a very, very long time. There have been numerous information obtained as it relates to his involvement in these illicit activities."
"And so it's not the same. So I would hope that you divorce the two and do not keep them together. now."
Jules Vasquez
"However, should these officers be placed on administrative leave, also, should the, can the ANU be trusted to handle this investigation because one of their members, not charged, one of their members was implicated by something that you have seen evidence of."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"The ANU is not in charge of the investigation. The investigation has been done by senior investigators of some major crime, headed by Superintendent Gonzalez and the DEA agent. Attaché is also a part of overseeing investigations. So they're, they're getting information as well. And, at the end of the day, if it is that investigation not showing anything to the effect that they are involved, then we will have to move on."
Also found on the satellite phone was a photo with the names of 39 persons - mostly villagers from the area - who are believed to have been employed in the drug plane landing. Why so many hands? The G2 Jet landed on Thursday night with what is believed to be more than two tonnes of cocaine. That was unloaded by all those hands and taken to the Sarstoon river in a matter of minutes.
2 Men Detained For Narco Plane Landing, 1 Guatemalan,1 Graham Creek Villager
And, at least two others were detained in connection with the investigation into the plane landing. They are: a villager from Graham Creek - and a Guatemalan who was found near the area wi4th 39,000 Quetzales.
The commissioner told us the status of the investigation into these persons:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"We had received a number of information. And, based on that, again, the police, the investigative team again had moved into that area and they had detained two individuals from there. What we were getting was that they were involved in some respect or some aspect of the plane landing."
"They were brought in. They were interviewed. I think there was information on one cell phone, showing the tree that was cooked to the entrance of where the plane had landed, which would suggest that he knew of it. Again, our interview was, in respect of that matter is ongoing. The investigators are still out trying to collect as much as they can to see if we'll be able to, to get a little bit more sun will be able to charge these people if they need to, if the evidence should surface."
Reports tell us that it is the Graham Creek villager who had the satellite phone in his possession.
Compol Demits Office on Friday, Concedes He was Kind of Pushed out
It's a closely watched investigation - both by the public, and United States DEA - which, as you just heard, is intimately involved.
But, as of Friday, that will be somebody else's headache. Because, as we told you last night, Compol Chester is heading for the exit. It's much earlier than he had planned - and he told us why:
Jules Vasquez
"So Friday would be your last day in the commissioner's office."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well, I'm hoping that it is going to be my last day. I'm excited about moving over to the Ministry of Transport. Constitutional reform, indigenous people affairs, and religious affairs."
Minister has Different Spin on Last Letter to Chester
So while the Commissioner made it clear that he's leaving to avoid hostility - his Minister - who likely had to authorize his CEO to write that letter - had a much more agreeable spin on the whole transition. Here's how he put it:
Jules Vasquez
"We know that there's been a very surly letter from your CEO, urging the commissioner to assume the role of a caretaker and move on."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"You know, and I mentioned it this morning. Jules, I have the unenviable task of overseeing the transition of authority, the transition of the head of the Belize Police Department at a time when Belize undoubtedly has seen one of the greatest commissioners, no matter what Jules Vasquez might try to say or do to this Commissioner of Police, his record speaks for itself."
"And so it's a difficult thing because, I know the commissioner still has a lot of life left in him. He's only 51 years old. But the Prime minister and myself discuss the future, because we certainly would never want to lose our commissioner and his, capabilities."
"As you know, last year we had, the most, traffic fatalities, probably in the history of the country. Commissioner can back me up on that. And we can see where even while he was commissioner sharing with us at the cabinet level a lot of strategies that can be put in place to make our highways a lot safer."
"And so we thought it fitting. Myself and the prime minister, the prime minister, of course, to elevate our commissioner of police to the position of the chief executive officer in that ministry."
Jules Vasquez
"But you didn't answer the question, which is: He received a very - you could call it obstreperous or rude letter."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"I need Google, I need a dictionary, Jules."
Jules Vasquez
"And he received a very curt letter from the CEO saying..."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"I don't think it was curt. I think."
Jules Vasquez
"It told him to revert to the role of caretaker, which doesn't exist!"
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"No, no, no, what you have to understand, Jules is that during this transition period, while it is that we would hope for a seamless, smooth transition, there are certain actions and certain decisions that can be made that can affect the department moving forward. And so it was just a reminder in terms of the transition, you know, it has cost implications for transfers. It has cost implications for promotions. Let us try to make the transition as smooth as possible. Because not necessarily the new Commissioner of Police would agree to these transfers. And so we have to make sure that we preserve the status quo as best as possible."
"And so that's how I see the letter. Just saying let us preserve the status quo as we transition."
Jules Vasquez
"I know I put you in an invidious position because the commissioner is here. But it is my distinct sense that he kind of got pushed out."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"No, no, no. Jules. Linda. Linda, stop. Linda, listen, if you would recall, Jules, I think the commissioner, late, late last year or early this year, had mentioned to the media and to the nation that he would be departing this year. It's not pushing out at all. It's elevating graduating even to the next level of CEO."
"He did indicate that he wanted to serve, in his capacity as a public servant. And to me, that is an elevation. You might not see it that way, but it is an elevation."
Jules Vasquez
"But CEO home affairs would have been a natural progression."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"We already have a CEO of Home Affairs. And like I said, the Prime Minister felt it fitting that the commissioner would do an excellent job. As you know, we have not had a CEO in the Ministry of Transport, I think at least for six months prior to the election. And so there was that vacancy there."
Compol Pushed Through Transfers Weeks Before He Left
And so while the Compol goes to fill that vacancy - before he left, he pushed through a bunch of transfers. And that's one of the things the CEO cautioned him about in her letter. She tried to put him in what is called a "caretaker role" where no new transfers or promotions can be undertaken without approval.
We asked him about the special promotions he did on March 21st - right after it became known he was leaving the Compol's desk:…
Jules Vasquez
"By Monday afternoon, you pushed through a dozen special transfers, including one for - I don't know if he is your godson too, but your special assistant, another of the Makin officers, Were you feathering your nest, so to speak, in these last days?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Everybody da my godson. I wonder if you're not my godson, too. I I'm wondering about you, right? Because when you don't know the status of somebody to me, then you'll you'll add a status to it. Very, very clever, Jules. I just, but again, like I said to you, whatever I did, I had to, to minister before I did them and I will leave it at that."
Abandoned Structure Burns Down in Belama
An abandoned home burned down in the Belama area last night. Fire personnel say that the structure had no electricity or water, so what could have been the cause? We spoke to a neighbor and the station officer and here's what we found out.
Gladstone Bucknor, Station Officer, Belize City NFS
"The Belama Phase 4 we received the call approximately 8:28 last night both stations were informed and both stations responded to that location and upon the arrival they observed a wooden structure engulfed in flames."
"The building was not, it was an abandoned building and the owner is Mr Eric Glen and he informed us that nobody lived in the building since November. They did not have any electricity or any utilities of that sort."
"Well the cause of the fire we have not determined that as yet but we know the location where it started on the Western side of the building from investigations and neighbors we gathered information that the back window was open on that day."
Reporter
"So somebody broke into the home?"
Gladstone Bucknor, Station Officer, Belize City NFS
"We can't say somebody had gone in, maybe the wind blew it in we don't know but they found it open."
"These abandoned buildings should something do occur in these abandoned building where it's next to a living quarters someone who actually lives there will cause devastation to them so it's something we need to look into and we don't want anyone to get burned out just because we got squatters who go randomly into buildings like that."
John Haylock, Neighbor
"No nobody was living at the time but there was a policeman that lived there before at least some months now, we even provided water for them because the pipe was still because it did not disconnect but when the fire came then I got this water cut off and disconnected the pipes because the water could have continued but all of a sudden we saw this big fire you know and I guess we don't know, we don't know so we can't say what we don't know right so."
"It was kind of strange that all of a sudden you see this big fire but fire is something very consuming so you know if the situation is where the fire could really extend right out then that is the result of it. But then you know that is how it was."
8 Laptops Stolen from MOE Recovered in OW
In other news, Orange Walk police have recovered eight laptops that were stolen from the Ministry of Education in Belize City in February.
After getting intelligence that there were stolen items at the San Lorenzo Housing Site area, police got a search warrant and searched the residence of a 58 year old woman who works as a cleaner. They found (3) Lenovo brand Chromebooks. Police then went on to search five more residences within Orange Walk Town where they found five more Lenovo brand laptops.
All 8 laptops were confirmed to be the property of the Ministry of Education.
Motorcycle Man Who Shot Cop is Remanded
He was the man who shot a police officer - then sped off on his motorcycle - and put heavy amounts of lead into pushing police mobiles. Well, last night, police formally arrested and charged 36-year-old Stanley Flowers a Belizean fisherman of Crooked Tree for the crimes of Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Damage to Property, (Dangerous Harm and Use of Deadly Means of Harm.
He appeared in court today where he was remanded to prison.
Shots Fired Again on McKay Boulevard
On Saturday, a man was murdered near Mckay Boulevard in the Martin's area, and then on Monday night, a 17 year old had to run for his life, and a house was shot up. And again, around midday today, shots were fired in the area. No one was injured, but police were canvassing for information and trying to maintain a heavy patrol presence.
Streets Hot, Home Affairs Contemplating an SOE
And these new flare-ups in gang activity have the political directorate and the police senior command weighing the value of another SOE. Today, the Minister told us they were close to calling it before the election - and it's still on the table:
Jules Vasquez
"Will you go for an SOE?"
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"That was on the table and I can say here now that it still is on the table. We were monitoring it, closer to the election, where it was extremely heightened. And I think we came fairly close, Commissioner, to declaring a state of emergency."
"But it was never done. It was quelled for a bit, but again, now we see other areas are sparking. I know at the time of the election, we were specifically looking at six different gangs in Belize City that were going to be a part of the issue. We are still monitoring those six gangs."
"And then there are a couple others now as well. And so that is still on the table. I'm not saying that we're going to declare one this week or next. But it certainly is on the table. We are in discussions, not just with the commissioner and the police department, but also with the Leadership Intervention Unit to get their feedback, because it is that we would want to have a targeted SOE as opposed to a blanket net cast over everybody."
Ronlee is Paralyzed So Why Are Police Still Going to His House?
And while the minister weighs the comparative possible benefits of another SOE - one man who might not be paralyzed if an SOE was called in early March is Ronnie Petillo.
The well known figure from the George Street area was left paralyzed in a shooting that happened on March 9th - in a drive-by that left another man dead.
Now, Petillo is paralyzed, but his family says police are still going to his house to look for him - even when he's back in the hospital fighting for his life. We asked the commissioner about it today:
Jules Vasquez
"But I want to ask you about Ronlee Petillo. His family complains - as you know, he's paralyzed - his family complains that the police earlier this week went by his house looking for him because he and another, gang affiliated person were supposedly circling the home of someone from a rival group, which, you know who the main dispute is between. Why are you all trying to investigate a man who is paralyzed?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"You would know that, you could be in Timbuktu and commit a crime in Belize, right? I'm not aware of the incident where the police had gone to his home, but I'm certain that if the police went there, it's because they had some credible information that they need to go and check. It does not mean that because he's paralyzed, it means that he is unable to commit a crime. The police, once they receive information, they are going to act. And I would just hope that if I will not time.com that they are going to cooperate with the investigators. If there's nothing to indicate that they were involved, then the police is going to leave them alone."
Jules Vasquez
"Yesterday, the mother of Joseph Garcia came forward and expressed her frustration of a lack of updates. So is there any headway in that case?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"The issue with that is the fact that they are not cooperating. I am sure that they know who was in that vehicle, but they are not saying it to the police. And, we believe that the reason they're not saying so is because they have intent to intention of retaliating. Maybe not. Joseph Garcia family, because they're not known to be gang members, per se. But certainly knowing how the street operates, once you see they refuse to give statements because they intend to take their own action."
Jules Vasquez
"I spoke to Ronlee Petillo, and he told me that he told you who was in that vehicle that he knows was in that vehicle, but that you are protecting certain players from a certain gang for reasons unknown to him."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well, again, Jules, I, I don't think you would buy that, saying to me who was in the vehicle and indeed he did told me. And I said to him, you can't just tell me - you also give me a statement. And he said to me, say, well, boss, you know, how the street works, I can't give a statement. I can't force him. I wish he would give a statement so that we can deal with the person or persons who were in that vehicle, but if he refused to, then I cannot force him."
Did Deadly Violence Result from "Failed Mediation" by Compol?
And that brings us right back to the mediation that the commissioner led between the rival groups at the end of February. Gang elements who were in that median say it only made things worse and Ronlee Petillo is one of them. We asked the commissioner about it:...
Jules Vasquez
"There is the, again, the failed mediation that you hosted where you heard a direct threat made to Ronlee and Ms Grant as well, from the same person he has implicated. You know, where do you start to pick up the pieces?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"You come back with this nonsense again?"
Jules Vasquez
"The mediation failed, sir. There's been so much bad that has happened since then."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Jules. Stop, stop, stop bring nonsense to me, Please. Any other question?"
Jules Vasquez
"Sir? Did you not hear a direct threat to Ronlee Petillo in the mediation?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Jules we have spoke about this at a previous interview. But you, you, you have a mindset that your. What is so unique, you know, you have a unique world, all kinds of things happen in that world."
"Yo yo yo yo yo yo, I don't know."
Jules Vasquez
"Sir, direct threats were made and things happened that fulfilled those threats out of the mediation. That's a failed mediation."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"That is your version. And I have explained to you what was our version."
First Quarter Crime Figures Trend Down
And while those incidents that followed the mediation are part of the first quarter statistics for 2025, in spite of them, the Minister and the Commissioner today boasted about the stats so far. They spoke at the quarterly comp state meeting and gave us their assessment of the numbers:...
Chester Williams, Final Compstat
"Looking at the first, first quarter of 2025, I must say, it looks good. It's not what I would want it to be. Certainly. You would know that I am very big in terms of preserving life."
"Nonetheless, the murders are down compared to last year."
"We are four below last year's figure, and overall major crime is down by 7% compared to the same period last year. So I am happy that I am handing over to the incoming commissioner with a crime rate below last year's figure."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"We cannot get disillusioned by the good numbers. We cannot get complacent by the good numbers, but rather, we have to step up our efforts, because last year, I can recall the first quarter being a very difficult and challenging year for the police. As was this year. And so, in similar fashion as we did last year, we will have to increase our efforts, and certainly try to make better in the second quarter."
Chester Williams, Final Compstat
"This morning, in the compstat I made mention to the commanders that this is going to be my last compstat with them, and I encourage them to throw their support behind the incoming commissioner, because at the end of the day, they cannot be divided. Unity is strength, and if they remain united, they will be able to overcome whatever challenge or challenges that may come their way."
Kareem and New Compol have to Find a Happy Balance, and Maybe A PR
So, Compol Chester now hands those numbers over to his successor Dr Richard Rosado. He and his Minister are now under pressure to deliver as Williams has. Minister Musa says the police work is one thing, but the interfacing with the press on a Chester level - will require more hands on deck:
Jules Vasquez
"We know that leadership has a lot to do with personalities. He's a man of a very different, he's of an academic bent, right? He has a different style. How will you, engage with him to achieve the same outcomes that although the outcome so far this year isn't good, but to achieve the same outcomes that Chester Williams has achieved."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"The outcomes this year are not good you say? You need to shape your narrative better, man. I just said the numbers are less than last year. How will you say it's not good?"
Jules Vasquez
"Last year was anomalously high."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"No no no."
Jules Vasquez
"Last year was an outlier in itself. The first quarter was an outlier."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"How do we get there every time? I just told you the numbers are good. But we want to do better. That's all I said."
"No, Jules, I work very closely, with the commissioner, with the deputies of our department, with the assistant commissioners of our department. I have a good relationship with all of them. In my opinion, it's going to be a smooth transition. Yes. You might say to yourself that you will not have the level of relationship that the media has with the Commissioner of Police, because, I think that the future commissioner is a lot more reserved, so to speak, and so perhaps we would need to, fill the void, because this is by far the most transparent commissioner. But we need to continue to fill that void to make sure the media gets the information that it needs each and every day. And so filling that void, perhaps with our public relations officer, I don't think anybody could have done a better job than the commissioner in terms of representing what is taking place within our department and the crime statistics."
"And so moving forward, you could see greater involvement of other personnel, an academic, as you said, doctor Rosado. And with a strategy, not not that this commissioner didn't have a good strategy because we have yes, we have all the results to prove it. So it will be a continuation of the good strategy that our commissioner has put in place, sir."
He Won Big, But Kareem's Portfolio Got No Upgrade
And while he'll also be doing PR, it's just more heavy lifting for the minister who got stuck with the toughest portfolio in Cabinet for two terms in a row. We asked him if he got chanced:
Jules Vasquez
"I think it was unfair that you were passed over for a ministerial promotion. You got stiffed with the same Ministry of Home Affairs."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"I appreciate that, thanks Jules."
"And the stillborn new growth industries. It seems that an injustice was done to you. Would you have preferred to have gotten at least some type of ministry upgrade. Maybe instead of new growth industries. You. You get something a little bit with a little bit more flex room for flex, the more pizzazz."
"Pizazz and money. Money."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"No no no."
Jules Vasquez
"Goods and services."
Kareem Musa, Min. Home Affairs
"I, I am grateful Jules to our Prime Minister. I said it, prior to the election, and I will say it again. I serve at his pleasure, at our government's pleasure. To be able to do the best in my capacity that that I can. It is clearly, in my opinion, a vote of confidence by our prime minister to put me back here, at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Because he knows that I will serve with integrity. I have preserved my reputation, despite your meaningful attacks to try to destroy me, which I know you will continue to do. And I appreciate that. But no, I look at it as a challenge and a blessing just to be able to serve in any capacity to serve my country. While any minister would say they want to see a promotion or they want another ministry to do the best that they possibly can. I am totally satisfied with this ministry."
Belize and Baseball, A Field of Dreams
When baseball first began to gain traction in Belize, the early founders of the association rounded up as many as 90 players to train at the time. That effort ultimately fizzled, but now the Belize Baseball Federation is making another attempt at bringing back the sport to schools by launching a pilot project. They held a handing over ceremony for the equipment needed today and here's what I found out about it.
All it takes is some equipment, a trained coach, and a place to play to get them started. It was once a popular sport in Belize, but now the Belize Baseball Federation is attempting to revive interest in the sport by piloting a project in 5 selected schools. At the handing over ceremony today their president gave us more details on their objectives.
Carolyn Flores, President, Belize Baseball Federation
"The pilot project, we wanted it to start with six schools right now. We have five schools who have signed on board and so we are giving them the starter packages. The purpose of the starter packages is for the coaches that will be planted at these different institutions to start to train the students. How it will work, we as the federation our responsibility will be to train coaches who will be coaching the students so for that to happen we are going to bring an  international coach, Coach Quan, from Curaçao he is a very good friend of mine, we don't travel a lot but we meet a lot when we travel and we speak a lot about the development of baseball in Belize so we are going to be bringing him in July, immediately after the Fort Myers trip, he will be coming into to Belize and then we will conduct that training. The training will be for coaches it will be for statisticians as well as umpires so this project is simply to develop the talents of the young people from the very foundational stages all the way to the level where they can display you know talent that is very watchable by the fans or audience who will be going to those games."
So once they are able to build the interest and fine tune the talent, this can also lead to other opportunities for not only Baseball in Belize, but also tourism. If the games are worth watching, people may even begin to travel to see them.
Josue Carballo, Chief Tourism Officer
"This is a very important step among many to be able to create new opportunities, one absolutely for the youths for the sporting world but even as it ties in to the tourism product in the past we have started a big study the tourism, a sports tourism strategy and when we look at global sports things like baseball, baseball is one of them that can eventually work right if we can partner up with the association and have it grow it is something that will eventually bring not only local  and national teams but be able to reach a level where we can international participation of different teams. So by putting the ministry's efforts together from the different subsections we can create products that will benefit both Belize nationally but also tourism wise but also international so it is quite an exciting venture when we see the private sector in this case getting involved and starting these associations."
The other schools, St Luke Methodist, Unity Presbyterian, St John's Vianney and St Ignatius Primary all received equipment along with St Martin De Porres. Their principal told us why they decided to be a part of this project.
Michelle Murray Gordon, Vice Principal, St Martin De Porres School
"We are very excited to have been selected as one of the recipient schools in the pilot project. We look forward to improving our physical education classes and well further developing the spirit of baseball within our school."
"Well our population is almost 600 so considering at what age they will start participating in the program that could give you an idea, at least 400 I would say if we start around 8 or 9 years old."
"Our kids are always interested in sports. They love PE and we are always short of equipment so this will make a big impact on their enthusiasm and their dedication to the sport."
Baseball and Olympic Cmte
In trying to keep the sport alive, the Baseball Federation members say that they have encountered numerous challenges in legitimizing their association. Their president told us that it has been a constant back and forth between them and the Belize Olympic committee over the past 6 years trying to gain membership. He explained his side of the story of what is keeping them back.
Carolyn Flores, President, Belize Baseball Federation
"Well we are recognized by the national sports council. It's the Belize olympic committee that's been giving us a hard time. What happened was we wrote to the world baseball, softball confederation, we wrote to them from 2019 and asked them to become a member once you are a member of the WBSC then you can get the grants and all those things necessary for the development of baseball. Thanks to Cordel Hyde the minister of natural resources, he facilitated legally of course for us to acquire ten acres of land which we purchased and we believe that our partnership with the WBSC would have assisted, will assist significantly with the development of the state of our softball, baseball program. What happened is that the WBSC said that we have met every requirement except one requirement which is an official letter from the Belize olympic committee stating that we are the leading authority of baseball in Belize which we are. We are the ones who revived the game we are the ones who brought back the recognition of the game we play the game we understand the game and everything else is just basically copycatting I don't know what is the reason, I have been liaising with the secretary general for at least two years now maybe three of the Belize olympic committee and I said to him listen we have written to the WBSC and they said to us that we have met every requirement except this just one letter but the Olympic committee I don't know they sent us a letter wrote us letter, sent us an email late last year saying that based on past, present and current proposals or something, that they are not able to make us a member as yet we met with them at least once and we tabled our concerns but for some reason they are unwilling to make us a member of the Belize olympic committee."
Their Goal? A Baseball Diamond
But that hasn't kept them back from forging forward with the future of baseball in Belize. Flores says that they have big plans, one which involves the construction of a professional baseball field of dreams, and they already have the land for it:
Carolyn Flores, President, Belize Baseball Federation
"The vision is to construct a state of the art baseball stadium where we will have at least three baseball fields. I am thinking really big. One for little league level one for professional baseball at least 400 feet from the centre field to the base, that is professional and then a softball pitch because that is what we intend to do long term then we are going to have of course dorms, at least 60 rooms, those 60 room dorms will be to cater for our long term goals to cater for people to come from Central America to come to our academy we are going to be training talents per year we are going to get for example 60 young persons from around the world, particularly Central America to come to our academy and then they would train, develop them to a level and send them out again that is going to be the recycling process. And so by doing that we are going to develop our own talent and develop other talents so it is going to become a state of the art entity like one that is in the Dominican Republic so that is the long term goal. And of course we will have gyms and all those different things that state of the art baseball structures should have."
Chester, Thanks For the Memories
And turning back now to the Commissioner's final Compstat. It's his last big show as the top cop - so, believe it or not, the days of the "Chester News Network" are at an end. Some of you may breathe a sigh of relief, while others may miss the famous "frenemy" sparring between him and Jules. Today, he reflected on his career and those testy interviews that he says made him better:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"It started back from 1991, a 17-year-old boy coming from a very humble background joining the ranks of the department and I said to them that I'll have known my entire life is to fight, to fight for what I believe I am entitled to."
"I believe in work. I can stay at 24 hours and I don't even feel it. Once I'm working, I am good to go. Policing requires a lot of commitment, a lot of dedication, and most importantly, it requires a passion for what you do."
"It's a thankless job, I can tell you that. So if you intend to come here and believe that you're going to do something for people to sing your praises, that is not going to happen. Even when you do good, you are being criticized."
"That's the nature of policing. And I said to them that even coming into the department with only a primary school living certificate then, I had to fight and work extremely hard to prove myself. And I am happy that I'm going into a position where again I can continue to serve the people of Belize because that is what I want to do."
"So I am extremely grateful and I must say thanks to the media. I know we have had some very, very tough times, some very confrontational moments, particularly you and I, you know, and sometimes people look at me and say, Commissioner, Jules is not your friend, you know."
"I said Jules is not nobody's friend, right? But at the end of the day, you are someone that I can talk to, someone that I can use as a means of strength, you know. I look forward to interviews when you are there."
"When I see interviews and you are not there, I'm like where is Jules, because I look forward to that encounter with you. Some people look at it and say, well, it's all negativity, and even my sister, my brother, they curse me every day."
"They say, leave that man, don't let him interview you. And I would just ignore them, right? Because they see it as you offending me. And I said to them, no, it's not a matter of that Jules have a job to do as journalist. I have a job to do as the commissioner. And I believe that in my capacity as a commissioner, I am accountable to the people. And one of the best way for me to come to the people is show you the media. And the tough questions that you ask, it makes me better."
"Sometimes I want to tell you about yourself, you know. But again, I hold back many times, but I don't get upset. I don't get angry, you know, because that any day I see it as an opportunity for me to be able to get better at what I do."
"You challenged me a lot. I know you have come to me with your chainsaw, powersaw, bulldozer, everything to try to bring me down. And every time you come, I made sure that I'm prepared and withstand whatever you're brought with you."
"You know, so I am grateful. I live happy. I am not bitter at all. I am sure the department is going to be in good hands and I do wish the incoming commissioner the very best."
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And, finally tonight, we have an update on the ongoing works at the Naitonal Assembly building. As we told you in August of last year, the 55 year old structure is undergoing a 2.7 million dollar exterior and interior renovation. We got an update from the Chief Engineer today:
