Lake-I residents blocks Jasmine Smith Street; says the streets entrance belongs to him

A Belize City man has blocked off a street in the Lake Independence area that he says was illegally built on his private property. On Sunday, Edwin Beaton fenced off a portion of Jennifer Smith Street that he says belongs to him. Beaton claims that the past administration informed him that they wanted to build a road that would pass through his property and he says he permitted them because he was to be compensated for the portion of land. However, the Lake-I resident says that he was never paid and now has the evidence to prove that the property is legally his. He has since stated that the street will remain blocked until adequate authorities meet with him to hash out the issue. Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, explained today that while the blockage may be an inconvenience to residents in the area, the council has no authority to address the issue.