Counterfeit $100.00 bills confiscated and some remain on the market

On Thursday, May 19^th, 2011 about 2:00pm Police on mobile patrol on West Collet Canal in Belize City conducted a search at #59 West Collet Canal, the residence of David Sedacey. A search conducted on Sedacey resulted in the discovery of a transparent plastic bag with two amounts of $100.00US notes that appeared not to be genuine. A search of the house and the premises yielded nothing illegal. David Sedacey was cautioned and escorted to the Queen Street Police Station along with the counterfeit notes.

David Sedacey

The notes were counted and categorized by serial number. There were (37) $100.00 US notes with S/N FF58641474B, (36) $100.00US notes with S/N FF80216340B, (38) $100.00US notes with S/N FJ34448254A, (39) $100.00US notes with S/N FLO34944321C all to a total of (150) $100.00US. Police formally arrested and charged David Sedasey, 35yrs, laborer of #59 West Collet Canal for the offence of Possession of counterfeit notes.

*The Public is asked to be on the lookout for these counterfeit US $100.00 notes that are in circulation. If you come in contact with anyone who has in their possession these bills, please contact the nearest Police Station or call Crime Stoppers - Tips for Rewards hotline: 0-800-922-TIPS (8477).

Find listed some of the serial numbers that may be in circulation already:- AC 80283529B- C4, AF 77981529B- F7, AG 43984569B- 67, AC 13149119B- C2, AC 80283529B- C4, AC 49984129B- C5, AC 50979499B- C8, AF 17401529B- F6, AG 53939129B- G6, AG 23989524B- G7, AG 27681529B- G7, AF 77981529B- F7, AC 80289529B- C4, AG 78589127B- G6, AC 14909829B- C6, AC 52539129B- C6.

SP Hardware Robbed

A source from within the San Pedro Police Department has confirmed to The San Pedro Sun that SP Hardware was robbed in the late afternoon on Friday April 8th 2011. The incident happened sometime before ten o'clock last night. While the incident was reported, as of post time, the manager had not made a formal report. As a result, the total loss from the robbery is unknown.

The San Pedro Sun will continue to follow this story will keep you updated as more information becomes available. The incident remains under investigation.

ROVING CAREGIVERS IN ACTION

Press Release – Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation – March 15, 2011 – Serious and violent crime remains a major concern in Belize City. Recent research conducted by Dr. Herbert Gayle and Nelma Mortis on behalf of the Government of Belize, could hold the key to combating this growing trend. Diana Pook, coordinator of the Belizean Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP) in an interview at the annual coordinators’ meeting at the Savannah Hotel in Barbados, outlined the progress based on the research to date.

“The new research that has been done (“Male Social Participation and Violence in Urban Belize: An Examination of Their Experience with Goals, Guns, Gangs, Gender, God, and Governance”), concerning the levels of violence in Belize City and the recommendations that have been outlined, have shown the pressing need for early childhood development programmes, such as the Roving Caregivers Programme.”

Ms. Pook further stated, “The government has started to look at early childhood development and parenting as two of the important things that can help combat the spread of crime within Belize City. More focus is being given to that at the moment and for 2011 we plan to expand our geographical reach, which is really positive because it means that we get more support for a programme that can really address some of the problems that we currently face with criminality.”

As 60 percent of the Belizean population is under the age of 29, crime is rapidly becoming a youth problem. In 2010 half the murder victims were 30 and under, who in turn were also the most frequent victims of gun violence.

Government’s Support

Suggesting that parenting initiatives such as Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP) can directly address these issues Ms. Pook said, “Dr. Herbert Gayle’s report that we just received last year shows the level of different things that Belizeans are taking action on to reduce the crime levels and we don’t want the whole country to be like what Belize City is becoming. We have the full support of our government when it comes to what we are doing so I think that is a plus. We are linking with other ministries who have understood the importance of RCP as well as education and early childhood development. The Ministry of Health is coming together to work with us and I think hopefully in the future, RCP will expand in Belize and become something more than just RCP.”

Impact of the RCP

Findings collated from the 2010 analysis of the Roving Caregivers Programme, highlights the integral role that early childhood development programmes play in providing an in-depth range of emotional, informational and educational support to families with infant and preschool aged children, which can tackle some of the risk factors that can result in negative behaviours, which if left unaddressed can lead to adolescent delinquency. Although the RCP programme has only been running in Belize for the last two years, there is an increasing recognition from the government of the benefits it brings towards tackling the issues of crime and delinquency in a holistic manner.

Noting the positive reception and the tangible results that the programme has offered she said, “It has been very well received in Belize and so far we started in Toledo and what we have noticed, especially with the teachers who are teaching the children, they have told us that these children are the brighter ones in the classroom and they can see which ones have been in RCP in relation to their levels of socialisation. They speak more English in comparison to other children their age who speak more Mayan, and the RCP children are not scared to go to school.”

Ms. Pook further reported that, “The parents of RCP children have also been mentioning that for them they can see the difference and it helps them, the parents, to speak more English at home. The children develop a lot more skills and at a lot faster pace than children who have not entered the programme. There have been benefits to the parents and guardians also, especially with the literacy programme that we started. The parents are starting to read more and before they did not sing or interact with their children, now they are doing it a lot more. They learn different things when it comes to the children’s health, and how to discipline their children so it is having an all round positive effect.”

Aurelio Chi arrested for Obtaining Property by Deception amongst other charges

With the knowledge that the Police Department is the body charged with the responsibility to keep residents safe from harm, crooks and con artists among other duties; it was the least to say suspicious, when a male individual was approaching residents of Northern Ambergris Caye impersonating a member of the San Pedro Police Department; soliciting finances.

As this information became known to the San Pedro Police Department, officers worked diligently in following up on the situation, leading to the quick apprehension of one Aurelio Chi 35yrs Belizean Laborer of San Pedrito Area. Mr Chi was arrested in the Boca Del Rio area and charged with 4 counts of obtaining Property by Deception. Chi was additionally charged for Mischievous Act as a result of mischievously giving his name as Jose Cowo when his true identity is Aurelio Chi.

North Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch Inaugurates new Police Substation!!

On Saturday June 5th at 12:00 noon, the North Ambergris Caye Neighorhood Watch held the grand opening of their new Police Substation. Food was provided as well countless fun-filled activities for the entire family. Congratulations to the N.A.C.N.W. for this great accomplishment!!

Schools Uniting for Peace

People were pleasantly surprised by students this afternoon as they received handmade pins and decorated balloons with lovely sayings like "Be Happy", "Stay Safe", "Be Nice", etc...it is a combined effort with the various schools who have united for peace. They are showing a little bit of love to people, stopping at random, unexpected places to share. Students are being taught manners, staying safe, and the meaning of peace. Their lessons took them outside of the classroom to share that same love with others in the community.

America’s Most Wanted films in San Pedro

Traffic came to halt on Barrier Reef this morning and it was not because of a check point. Indeed, it was the host of America’s Most Wanted, John Walsh and crew, filming in San Pedro. San Pedro will be featured as part of the Belize episode of AMW.

There have been a number of American fugitives who have sought refuge in Belize. While on the island, Walsh interviewed an expert who explained why Belize is a possible haven for such wanted criminals. Read more in this week’s issue of The San Pedro Sun.

Caye Caulker Marches Against Crime

In response to the recent murder of Caye Caulker resident Lorleen Young, residents organized a march against crime. People from Ambergris Caye as well as the mainland joined in the protest, which was spearheaded by the Caye Caulker Neighborhood Watch Program. Their message was clear: Stop the violence. Their hope is that their message will be heard, and that it is time for change so that Caye Caulker can once more be considered safe and crime free.

BTIA national to conduct anti-crime meetings

The Belize Tourism Industry Association, mindful that crime bears a negative impact on doing business in tourism, continues to advocate for initiatives that seek to combat crime.

In light of this, BTIA national is commencing a series of destination meetings to discuss the state of crime in the areas with a view to present recommendations for fighting crime in the locales.

The first in a series of such meetings will be in San Pedro for Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. The meeting is slated for Friday, September 4, 2009 at Sun Breeze Hotel at 3:00p.m to discuss crime in Caye Caulker and 5:00 to discuss crime in San Pedro.

Recognizing the seriousness of our concerns, on hand we expect: the CEO Ministry of National Security; the Commissioner of Police; the Head of TPU Unit; the Director of Tourism or Director Product Development; the CEO or representative of Min of Tourism; and the NICH representative for Park or Attraction security.

Please come and voice your concerns.

Robbery leaves two injured

The San Pedro Sun has confirmed with San Pedro Police that at least two persons received gunshot wounds following an armed hold-up on Pearl Street in the San Pablo Area. Sometime between 9:30 and 9:45pm, September 1st, 2009, two masked men stormed into Espinosa's Store and held up shop attendant, Juan Jose Lopez and security guard Alvaro Ramos.

Alvaro Ramos

Juan Jose Lopez

According to an eyewitness, who was in the general building at the time, a struggle ensued during the hold up and several shots were fired. As a result, Lopez was shot in the face, while Ramos was shot in the back. He is listed in a critical condition, whilst Lopez has been pronounced in stable condition.
Both men were airlifted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) around 11:30pm for further treatment. No-one has been arrested, but Police have launched an intensive search in the general area, and residents are being questioned.