Eight new Justices of the Peace were sworn in, and another eight were elevated to Senior JPs. The swearing in took place on Friday November 18th, 2011 at the San Pedro Town Council during a special ceremony conducted by Belize’s Attorney General Honorable Bernard Q Pitts.
The new JPs are Oscar Aguilar, Karen Canul, Jose Luis Zapata, Walter Zepeda, Eddie Halliday Sr., Ana Ico, Enrique de Leon and in absence Joseph Elijio. The eight Senior JPs are Hon. Gloria Guerrero, Hon. Lydia Lavin, Hon. Ramon Nuñez Sr., Hon. Claudio Azueta, Hon. Nellie Gomez, Hon. Pinita Verde and in absence Hon. Flora Ancona and Hon. Elsa Paz.
In speaking at the event, AG Pitts explained the roles and responsibilities of the title of “Justice of Peace” and “Senior Justice of the Peace”. He cautioned that in the same manner that the JPs were appointed based on their character references and on the recommendation of the Area Representative Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., their titles can be taken away if they fail to live to the responsibilities that comes along with such honorable title.
According to the President of the San Pedro Chapter of the JPs Association, Hon. Claudio Azueta, the new JPs were vetted by the Association and met the necessary requirements. Azueta also said that while the association is not as active as they would want, they are happy for the new JPs and called on all its members to get more involved in the activities of the association.
