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Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"The gang rivalry activities between George Street and Taylor's Alley started with the death of Orlando Reyes on the afternoon of April 20, at around 3:30 p.m. This was followed with the double murder of Shelton August Tillett, aka "Pinky, and Kamill Andrews, approximately 8 hours later at the Esso Gas Station at Mile 2 1/2 on the Northern Highway. About 14 hours or so later, another murder occurred in the city, on Allan Pitts Crescent, on April 21, 2012, where Peter Flowers was shot and killed. And on April 22, Mr. Larry Sutherland was shot in the stomach, and he remains in the KHMH in a critical condition. There have also been reports of random shots fired."

Jules Vasquez Reporting
There were four murders in the city in 24 hours - which is astounding, but Saldivar seemed more concerned with the rumors that there had been three times that:

Hon. John Saldivar
"It must also be noted that only one of these murders took place after the murder of Pinky Tillett, which means that the reports - especially in the social media - of a blood retaliation, which rumored up to a dozen dead and more to come, was thankfully just idle or malicious exaggeration. These reckless rumors and the real anticipation of retaliation however, did put our entire nation on edge for almost 72 hours."

A nation on edge - but really the result of a panicked community - living in a state of sustained terror, concerned about the brazen-ness of criminals, the randmness and the prelavcne of murder. And, less than assuringly, Saldivar says some relief is on the way:

Hon. John Saldivar
"Starting yesterday, Sunday, April 22, 2012, the Belize Police Department, supported by the BDF, commenced the deployment of troops and police which will see at its height the number of officers on the streets of Belize City increased by close to 80. The concept of this operation is to contain the level of violence in Belize City by increasing the presence of security forces. This will be done by effectively patrolling by means of foot, ATV, motorcycles and vehicles, and targeting of special areas and persons of interest."

But simply stepping up patrols sounds like a tried and failed solution for an escalating problem and Saldivar concedes that they can't stop crime...

Jules Vasquez
"It is apparent that the suppressive measures the patrols thus far have been ineffective in-so-far-as, we have had a spate of murders - probably 14 homicides in 15 days - what will be different - numerically, volumetrically - about this new operation?"

Hon. John Saldivar
"This will result in a reduction in crime. I don't know that anybody expects that we will completely be able to stop crime, even with the efforts that we have now. But we are confident that it will reduce the level of crime in the country at this time and in this city. We feel that the current strategy can work, and will be given a time to work. If it doesn't, we will then need to take it to next level."

Saldivar also spoke encouragingly of the gang truce. Incredibly, with full out gang warfare raging, he says it is working:

Hon. John Saldivar
"In terms of the gang truce, we did have a meeting yesterday with - I believe - 11 leaders of various groups across the city. We are confident that the gang truce is holding among those leaders, and we are still currently looking to dialog with the other remaining groups that were not present at the meeting yesterday. But we are confident that, aside from what has happened over this weekend, the gang truce is holding."

Jules Vasquez
"You said the truce is working. On what do you base the conclusion? I saw the meeting yesterday. I was outside the Raccoon Street Station. I didn't see the principals of George Street and Ghost Town which are reputed to be two of the most active gangs. On what do you base the conclusion?"

Hon. John Saldivar
"I think that I said clearly that from those that participated in the meeting yesterday, the truce is holding."

Jules Vasquez
"But sir, I don't want to be argumentative, but that's like saying, 'We have all political parties involved except the PUP and UDP. I'm saying that these Ghost Town and George Street are considered, and certainly Taylor's Alley."

Hon. John Saldivar
"And as far as I know, Ghost Town was there. George Street was absent, and I believe Gill Street was absent. But those are the only two that were not there. As I have said to you, what we have gathered from those that were there is that they are holding to their part of the bargain."

Jules Vasquez
"Are you prepared to concede being the fact that at the moment of your address, two more persons were shot, broad daylight, major thoroughfare - Freetown Road - are you prepared to admit that something must be wrong if you are starting a press conference talking about the new measure which have begun, and obviously if it happens on a main street in the city, something is not working?"

Hon. John Saldivar
"Well, I don't know if after a few hours of putting some new measures in place, we can actually say that it is not working. And like I say earlier, we are attempting to reduce the level of crime. We are not going to be able to stop every criminal."

A less than inspiring show, and the look on the PM's face seemed to say it all.

The press conference lasted only 32 minutes - such events of national import usually go for 75 minutes. This afternoon, Saldivar followed up that underwhelming performance with a media tour of the ongoing police operations. That is underway at this hour, and we'll have the full report on it tomorrow night.

The opposition also weighed in on the Press Conference with a press release. It says: The PUP is extremely concerned at the tepid response of the Government and the Minister of National Security. The response of Government falls short of providing any hope or calming the fears of residents so they will feel safe and secure in their homes and communities." The release closes with an unusual gesture of partnership, saying:

"The PUP is prepared to work, as a matter of urgency, with Government and civil society partners.."