UDP will crush Crime... AGAIN!!

UDP Ready and Equipped! UDP Unveils Crime-Fighting Plan

Ready and equipped to lead the mission of rescue, restoration and national reconstruction, the United Democratic Party has launched a series of press conferences to present a number of Policy Papers constituting its platform heading into the upcoming elections, the first taking place on Wednesday October 17, 2007, at the Radisson Fort George Hotel.

The first platform issue was crime, and the Policy Paper presented outlines a six-point plan: 1) Confronting Corruption - Setting the Example; 2) Strengthening the Police Department; 3) Creative Crime Prevention; 4) Combating Root Causes of Crime; 5) Controlling and Defusing Gang Violence; and 6) Restoring Faith in Our Justice System.

Titled “Working together for a Safer Belize, A 360 Degree Approach”, the paper (which is reproduced on Page 5 of this issue of The Guardian) was presented by former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and current UDP Caribbean Shores Standard Bearer Carlos Perdomo. And Perdomo was introduced by no other than the current UDP Leader, Honourable Dean Barrow, who, incidentally, was the Ministry of National Security with whom Perdomo worked as Permanent Secretary back in the UDP’s 1993-1998 term in Government.

It was in those days, one will remember, the crime situation was brought under control with one of the most comprehensive and effective crime-fighting approaches ever undertaken. It featured, on the one hand, a strengthened Police Department with greater accountability to the public, and on the other hand, a serious attempt to address the root causes of crime, mainly unemployment and gang-related activity as addressed through programmes like the internationally acclaimed CYDP.

In his welcoming remarks to the media at Wednesday’s Press Conference, and his introduction of Hon. Dean Barrow, UDP Public Relations Officer Delroy Cuthkelvin set the stage by noting that while the UDP is poised to become the next government, the Party is taking nothing for granted and accepts the responsibility and the challenge to prove not only that the PUP deserves to be fired, but that the UDP is worthy of being hired.

Hon. Barrow, for his part, told the media that while the UDP, if the elections were called today, would indeed score an overwhelming victory, he is aware that in politics a week could be an eternity, and that the Party intends to use whatever time remains from now until the general elections, to continue preparing and proving itself as a Party that is ready to lead the daunting task of governing and rebuilding the nation in the aftermath of the most corrupt and destructive government ever. It is not enough for the PUP to lose the elections because of its failure as a government; it is imperative that the UDP wins because of our demonstrated readiness and competence as a government in waiting, Mr Barrow said.

As an essential addendum to the policy paper presented by Perdomo, Hon. Barrow stated that the UDP, as the next government, will enhance our Country’s crime-solving ability by establishing within the Police Department a DNA Lab, which will require an initial investment of Half a Million Dollars and approximately 150 Thousand Dollars a year to upkeep. It’s a substantial investment, Barrow remarked, but one entirely justified by the far-reaching impact it will make towards addressing an issue of utmost importance and urgency.

Asked if the presentation of the crime Policy Paper by Carlos Perdomo was an indication that Perdomo is the man he has in mind for the post of National Security Minister in his Government-to-be, Barrow did not respond with a definitive “yes”, but remarked that it would not be an unreasonable choice. The question posed by Jules Vasquez, and the response by the Party Leader, were both ample confirmation of the abundant talent and experience in the UDP slate of Standard Bearers countrywide to form one of the most competent and effective governments ever.

Indeed the UDP is both ready and equipped to lead the mission of rescue, restoration and national reconstruction.