D.Y.S. and B.M.C.M.S. Intervenes in Urban Gun Violence

Dinsdale Thompson

Within the past twenty-four hours, youth have been both the primary victims and the main suspects detained in connection with the spate of violence in Belize City. Since Wednesday, the Behaviour Modification and Conflict Management Services, formerly the Conscious Youth Development Programme, has been on the ground trying to connect with the actors involved in the gun violence with a goal to mediate and prevent anticipated retaliation. Recently installed director, Superintendent Dinsdale Thompson says that they condemn the act of violence being perpetrated, but are trying mediation.  

Supt. Dinsdale Thompson, Director, Behaviour Modification & Conflict Management Services

“We are presently out on the street. We are visiting all the known areas that we do know and we are working along with, communicating along with them and bringing them to the table as well. We are presently at the cell block with those who are detained for investigation concerning the murders that have happened and we are looking to get into that and to bring a calm or to bring a peace in that area. What we are doing is to calm the hearts and minds of these young men because many times we look at them as a violent individual that cannot be changed, but when you sit with these guys, when you reach out to them, you find out that they are a soul that are in need of help as well.”

Kevin Cadle

Kevin Cadle, Deputy Director, Department of Youth Services

“The Department of Youth Services condemn the act of violence with immediate effect and we will be working along with the police department and other counterparts through our institutional linkages to ensure that we give support, both from a legislative point of view and a programmatic point of view. When we look at what has been going on recently, we recognise that there are a lot of hurt going on among young persons and we need to provide services that could incorporate the type of necessary treatment to deal with the situation currently going on in our country.”