Everything Quiet on South Side

Chester Williams

Interestingly, Eastern Division South did not see any major criminal activity over the weekend. In fact, it’s been three weeks since there has been any murder or violence triggered by gang rivalry in the city. ACP Chester Williams told News Five that several interventions with gang leaders over the past weeks have been working.

ACP Chester Williams, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South

“It is our third successive weekend without any major incidents on south side Belize City and it is as a result of our ability to be able to reach out to the different factions across south side Belize City. Myself, Miss Finnegan and Brother Nuri continue to dialogue with these young people and show them that life is more than being involved in gang activities, shooting at each other. There is more to life and we try our best to see how we can bring them together. About two Fridays ago, we had a gang summit at Bird’s Isle; just an all day activity with members of all the different gangs. We had a lot of mediation and intervention between them where they were allowed to put their issues on the table and we asked them what can be done from our standpoint to make it better for them. And after that we ate and finished off the day with sports, basketball. And what we did, we didn’t have George Street in one team; we mixed the team. So we had George Street, PIV, South Side in one team and then the other team a mixture. So that gives them the ability to be able to work together as a team from a sports standpoint. So it’s just another way to reach out to these young people. And again, Friday gone, we had another meeting with the key players from the groups just to ensure that we maintain the dialogue with them as we move forward.”

On Sunday, the intervention efforts will see the gang members taken to Placencia for a day of activities.