There is a standoff
tonight between the San Pedro Police Department and the
San Pedro Town Council over the sale of alcohol on Good
Friday. The Town Council has advised business
establishments that they can resume selling alcohol as
of nine o’clock on Friday night. But that does not sit
well with the officer commanding the San Pedro Police
Formation, Assistant Superintendent Vienie Robinson, who
says it’s against the law. The O.C. contends that as far
as the law is concerned, Good Friday ends at midnight
and there is no provision that allows for the sale of
alcohol before that time. Robinson warned that the
police will be conducting sting operations with
spontaneous spot checks and that if any establishment is
caught breaking the law, it will be shut down
immediately. The business owners, according to Robinson,
will also be detained for the weekend pending charges on
Tuesday. San Pedro Mayor, Daniel Guerrero, says that the
council got permission from Minister of Tourism and Area
Representative Manuel Heredia to allow establishments to
sell alcohol starting at nine p.m. The San Pedro Town
Council maintains that the dry-law will hurt the income
of establishments on the island. But no one, so far, is
complaining about Easter being celebrated as a religious
holiday.
The San Pedro Police
Department is reiterating that there should be no
alcohol sold on Good Friday.
According to the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act
Chapter 150 of the Laws of Belize section 27 states
that:
” 1. (a) all licensed premises in which liquor is sold
under a publican’s general license shall be closed –
on Christmas Day and Good Friday;
2. (a) All licensed premises in which liquor is sold
under a malt liquor and cider license shall be closed
– on Christmas Day and Good Friday
3. Any person who during the times at which any
licensed premises are required by this section to be
closed
(a) sells or exposes for sale in such premises any
liquor; or
(b) opens or keeps open such premises for the sale of
liquor; or
(c) allows any liquor, although purchased before the
hours of closing, to be consumed on such premises, is
guilty of an offence”
Vienie Robinson, Officer in Charge of the San Pedro
Police Formation and Assistant Superintendent of
Police, has stated that the police will be in full
force enforcing the law. ASP Robinson explained that
there is no provision that allows for the sale of
alcohol before midnight Friday. She warned that police
will be conducting a special operation with
spontaneous spot checks to ensure that all
establishments abide by the law. ASP Robinson went on
to caution that if ANY establishment is caught
breaking the law will be closed immediately. In
addition, those who are caught breaking the law will
be arrested and detained until they appear before the
court until Tuesday.
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) however, has advised
establishments that they are allowed to sell alcohol
after 9PM on Friday. When asked if the SPTC have asked
for special provisions regarding the law, ASP Robinson
said, “
They want me to break the law and that will
not happen.”
Mayor of San Pedro Daniel Guerrero explained that the
Council got the go ahead from the Minister of Tourism
Honorable Manuel Heredia to allow establishments to
sell alcohol starting at 9PM on Good Friday. When
questioned about this matter Heredia said that during
a meeting, ASP Robinson was informed about the
traditional provision for Ambergris Caye given that it
is a tourism destination. While Heredia agrees that by
allowing establishments to open at 9PM on Good Friday
contravenes the law, he indicated that there is an
economic factor that he would want to see a special
provision made for San Pedro. However ASP Robinson
indicated to both Mayor Guerrero and Hon. Heredia that
the law of Belize is the law of the land and that it
will be enforced.
In an interview with Hon. Heredia,
The San Pedro
Sun was told that the Minister of Police Hon.
John Saldivar is aware of the situation and had
promised Heredia that San Pedro would be allowed the
sale of alcohol on Good Friday starting at 9PM.
Acting Commissioner of Police David Henderson said
that he will be taking up the issue with the Liquor
License Board and that “
I will not get into any
back and forth. I will look at the situation and I
will take a decision by tonight.”
Since 1994, establishments on Ambergris Caye have
traditionally been allowed to sell alcohol on Good
Friday within an agreed time. ASP Robinson maintains
that traditions do not override the law and as far as
the Police are concerned, they will enforce the law.
San Pedro Sun
SPTC Promoting
Road Traffic
Safety
Have you noticed
the large banners about traffic hanging on the main
streets of San Pedro and wondered what it’s all
about? Well, the San Pedro Town Council has embarked
in a Road Traffic Safety Campaign promoting safe
driving in the island of San Pedro.
In speaking with Mr. Chris Nuñez of the
transport department he stated that they are
currently placing large banners on the streets with
safety tips as well as distributing safety tip
flyers to all drivers. In addition, all speed bumps
and street corners (no parking areas) are being
given a paint job.
Councilor Kenrick Brackett whose work portfolio
includes the transport department also mentioned
that they will be fixing and placing traffic signs
where necessary as part of the campaign. Just this
week, councilor Brackett received two traffic cones
which were donated to the transport department by
Harmouch Center. These cones will be used for check
points conducted by the San Pedro Transport
Department.
On another positive note, the San Pedro Town Council
has added a traffic warden to its Transport
Department which will be hard at work this busy
Easter weekend. The new warden is Ms. Felipa Carillo
who joins Mr. Claudio Azueta and Mr. Immer Chi.
Mayor Guerrero plans on having a total of ten
traffic wardens to keep the streets of San Pedro
safe and traffic flowing properly.
Ambergris Today
Parked golf cart
crushed by container
photo by Belican
Pete
A golf cart was
totaled when a container fell on it while parked
in front of a store in the San Pablo Area of San
Pedro Town. The incident occurred sometime
between 9:30AM and 10AM, while workers were
offloading cargo from the container in front of
Island Pool Supply. It appears that the
container tipped over and crushed the parked
golf cart when part of the ground caved in.
The San Pedro Sun understands that the
driver of the cart had just parked and was
inside the store picking up some supplies. The
incident occurred so fast that nothing could
have been done to prevent the container from
falling over the cart. Luckily no one was hurt
in the freak incident.
According to Julie Putnam of Island Pool Supply,
some merchandise was damaged, but everyone is
really thankful that no one was hurt. According
to the Police, the driver of the cart has
visited the San Pedro Police Department where he
has given a statement. While the cart was
ensured,
The SP Sun understands that
the container, with license plate BZE A2018, was
not insured. SP Police say that because the
nature of the incident is slightly different
than a road traffic accident, the incident would
have to be settled through a civil suit in the
court.
San Pedro Sun
Mass exodus to
cayes and beyond
for long weekend
Belize has
its unique Easter traditions. If residents
don’t implement holiday plans by Thursday
evening, they remain at home through Good
Friday and observe the launch of the Cross
Country Cycling Classic. But once the race
is on the road, car radios are blazed with
updates as the wheels spin inland or the
boats ride the waves to the cayes. News
Five’s Isani Cayetano hit the pavement and
asked the masses where they intend to spend
their leisure time during the Easter
weekend.
Isani
Cayetano, Reporting
The exodus of residents currently on
Easter vacation to San Pedro and Caye
Caulker has already began. This morning
dozens of travelers converged upon the
water taxi terminals in Belize City
where scheduled boat runs are ferrying
them unto the islands. While Belizeans
across the country are seeking a little
fun in the sun, tourists from
neighboring Guatemala are also getting
in on the action.
Isani Cayetano
“What has the journey been like, I know
you’re at the halfway point right now
but you still need to catch the boat to
get unto the island. What has it been
like so far?”
Guatemalan
Tourist
“Tiring but exciting. I like it.
It’s been a very good experience.”
Isani Cayetano
“It’s your first time going out to
San Pedro?”
Guatemalan Tourist
“No. It’s the second time
actually.”
Isani Cayetano
“What was the first experience
like that makes you want to
return to the island?”
Guatemalan Tourist
“It was amazing. It’s a
place you never want to
leave. It’s like
paradise there.”
It’s a testament to the mass
migration that many, including
several downtown shoppers, can
attest to.
Isani Cayetano
“What are you doing for the
Easter this year?”
Citizen 1
“Well, partying all night,
clubbing there in San Pedro,
[the] best place to be.”
Isani Cayetano
“How are you dealing with the
heat on the island and all
these Belizean people leaving
the city and other parts of
the country to go on San
Pedro?”
Citizen 1
“Well I’m taking my breaks
with my, you know, six packs
everyday there by the
beach. That’s what we
do every day, you know,
getting sunburned. That’s
the thing!”
And of course there are those
who prefer a weekend of
excitement on the peninsula.
Thousands are expected to make
their way down to Placencia
over the next few days.
Citizen
2
“I gwein da Placencia
go spend di Easter
because money da noh di
problem, I have enough.”
Isani Cayetano
“What are you gonna be
doing down in Placencia,
are you gonna be visiting
with family and friends,
you’re gonna be partying?
Are you going to all the
events planned down
there?”
Citizen 2
“Well like how ah di
ker enough money, ah
gwein bathe, ah gwein
eat, I gwein party and I
done get mih nice suite
fi stay.”
Despite the
fact that many are
leaving the mainland in
search of sandy beaches
and tropical drinks
downtown Albert Street
is alive with vendors
who are accommodating
those wanting to enjoy a
traditional
holiday. Easter
baskets anyone?
Vendor
“I think it’s moving
fast. I don’t want to
sell on Saturday so
I’m trying to finish
up today but it’s
selling. They’re
buying baskets.”
Isani
Cayetano
“How long have you set
up your post out here,
since the beginning of
the week?”
Vendor
“No. I just began
today; I just set it
up today. People
usually buy last
minute so it’s today
when you sell the
most.”
CH5
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
Adapt
yourself to
the life you
have been
given; and
truly love the
people with
whom destiny
has surrounded
you
Marcus
Aurelius
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