Mayflower Street Intervention is a Success

For the past couple weeks, the Ghost Town, Mayflower Street area has become a most dangerous area in the south side of Belize City. At least six persons have been killed in the past three weeks including journalist Kareem Clarke. The incidents, say the police, are as a result of an internal rift between rivaling groups. On Sunday, in an effort to bring the Mayflower Community closer together, the Eastern Police Division South and the Mayflower Community held a sports day at the Berger Field on Vernon Street in Belize City. Dianne Finnegan who was invited as a mediator as well as Public Relation Coordinator for the Police Department, Douglas Hyde spoke to the media today about the success of the event.

Douglas Hyde

Douglas Hyde, PR Unit, Belize City Police

“The police department, specifically eastern division south, collaborated with the Mayflower, which was a really awesome experience. We had a family sports day. We started around nine-thirty in the morning and we finished about four-thirty in the evening. The police officers along with the community members, we did a barbecue for them along with other things to eat and drink. But the highlight of the day was the sports. We had a football marathon where four groups from the community—the Bailar Group, the Mayflower, Ebony Street and Lakeview Group—participated in the tournament and it was really awesome. Almost like fifteen guys per team.”

Dianne Finnegan

Dianne Finnegan, Mediator

“Working on trying to make a positive difference and a positive spin to the lifestyles that these communities were used to; what is the norm for them. I continue to say that when there is positive influence, it won’t happen overnight, but what is necessary is for all to be on the same page, to speak the same language and for the individuals that are involved understand their own purpose, their own strengths…the importance and value they have within our nation. There should be no separation because when we separate we speak them and us and they are our children, they are our family, they are Belizeans and they deserve the very same investment that we do for our own children.”

Ebony Street Group won followed by Lakeview Group; third was the Bailar Group and the Mayflower Street Group took fourth place.