Dianne Finnegan: Mediation Agenda is for Country

Tonight, Youth Apprenticeship Program Coordinator and Mediator, Dianne Finnegan is lashing out at the recently installed Regional Commander of Eastern Division South, Marco Vidal. On Wednesday, the Senior Superintendent told the press that his priority is policing the streets of the city and not engaging in mediation with gangs, in reference to his predecessor, Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams. Vidal says that mediation is the job of the Conscious Youth Development Program and he urged independent mediators such as Finnegan and Nuri Mohammed to join in those efforts.  Now it is no secret that the intervention by Williams and his team has had success. Since April thirteenth, there has been no gang-related murder within the Old Capital. And even before then, the number of murders within the city had been on the decline. Here’s what Finnegan told News Five today.

Dianne Finnegan

Dianne Finnegan, Mediator

“My purpose for doing this, my personal agenda for doing this is about country. I have two kids, a very successful attorney and my son is in the army. When my son was living in Belize, he socializes so whatever was happening within society, spills off on my child, my home because my son goes into the space where all the young people socialize. It matters to me. And it just does not only matter to me because I have two children, but I mentor and work with a hundred and fifty young people on a daily basis.  But I am saying all this to let you know that the comment that Mister Vidal made, a valid one because it is not an issue to join forces with any institution or organization; that is healthy, that is what is necessary. But Dianne Finnegan is an individual who is a go-getter.  I’ll go the extra mile and I’ll work. I loved the team that was in place which is Nuri, Chester and myself because we work well together and we get things done. A crowd is too much of issues and who’s not in agreement and who doesn’t have the time. We make time to get these things done because it is crucial. It is about our society, it is about these young people who are dying, killing themselves.”