The UDP comes with clean hands to help address crime, says Albert Area Rep.

The United Democratic Party says it wants to be engaged in efforts for Belize to reduce crime. The Opposition party says that addressing the issue requires everyone to be involved. That call was reiterated in an interview with the Albert Area Representative, Tracy Taegar-Panton. She made the case that one of the root causes is economic inequality and a lack of access to basic goods and services. 

Hon. Tracy Panton, Area Representative, Albert Division: “Crime is not an easy issue to resolve and I think what we see and what we continue to see is contingent on the economic wellbeing of many of our families. So I do think the state of the economy, the quality of life has a direct correlation to what is happening in crime. I think there has to be a multisectoral approach. I think we need to bring our best minds to the table we need all hands on deck including the involvement of the opposition. I listened to the Minister of National Security say ‘Oh we don’t think they come with clean hands.’ bring us to the table and then make that determination. Crime affects all of us, it affects business, it affects the wellbeing of our families and I think it really requires  in my view all hands on deck.”