Dangriga Mayor Condemns Shooting of Police Officer

This latest incident has shocked the country, especially the communities of Dangriga and Punta Gorda, where PC Arzu is from. Love News spoke to Dangriga Mayor Robert Mariano who condemned this heinous act. 

Robert Mariano, Mayor of Dangriga: “I condemn all forms of violence in Dangriga. Dangriga is not a place of violence and I’m personally condemning that action that occured last night here in Dangriga and I’m calling upon the people of Dangriga to speak out. Whosoever knows anything call the police and share the information don’t wait until something like this happens or knocks at your door. At the same time today discussed the way forward as to how we’ll be working together to address the issue of crime within Dangriga. Even though we expect to have that mutual working relationship they are not binded to answer to me but we are forming or we formed that working relationship together where I can see how I can assist or the Dangriga Town Council can assist the police department in whatsoever issues they have if there is any in the way of fighting crime. And so that was the main thing we discussed. We also discussed the issue of the shooting as well that occured last night and it hurt my heart to know that such a young vibrant young lady is now in the hospital fighting for her life. Like I said we just have to continue fight and as much as we have the shooting and several other shootings I’m hopeful that with this new administration that we have in Dangriga we’ll be able to patch all holes.”

Harry Arzu, Stann Creek Correspondent: When you say administration you’re talking about the what ? 

Robert Mariano, Mayor of Dangriga: “The new police administration. We’ll be able to work together to fix this issue. As a matter of fact the Dangriga Town Council and the new head of the department will be having some meetings very soon as early as next week and then we’ll be looking at issues based on the complaints that we have received from the community so that they can see how they can fix it from their side. At the same time I’m expecting to hear from them as to some of their needs so that I can lobby with my colleagues to see how we can fix this problem together.”

Harry Arzu, Stann Creek Correspondent: Do we intend to put up more police booths in this municipality ? 

Robert Mariano, Mayor of Dangriga: “Well as you can see I am having a small tour with Mr.Morerra and Mr.Stevens and we stopped first at Backatown area, we’re looking at how we can work together to put back the booth that was burnt down some months ago. After discussing with my deputy mayor we are trying to collaborate with the Ministry and the police department to see how we can put up a cement structure at that location. We are also looking at putting a police booth here in the New Site area. As you know this is the second such incident that has occurred for this year because we have one not too far maybe a hundred yards away from here that was about four months ago more or less.”