All Eyes and Attention on PIV and Backa-Lands

Chester Williams

In discussing the fatal shooting incident that took place in Belize City on Sunday evening, the top cop says that the police department will focus similar attention on the PIV and Backa-Lands gangs who’ve had a bitter rivalry over the years.  According to the commissioner, their proximity to each other, in terms of their respective turfs, makes policing difficult.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We look at last night and we had two separate shootings last night in Belize City.  In the first instance, two persons were shot, one of whom succumbed to his injuries this morning and that person happened to be a seventeen-year-old, a minor.  The other shooting near the Cox Tire Shop where another person was shot in his face.  It does not look good and we know that when there is rivalry between the PIV and Back-a-Lands groups that it can be extremely challenging due to the close proximity within which these groups live and the fact that they can easily access each other’s area through various routes, so it makes it challenging for the police.  Nonetheless, we are in operation mode within the Martin’s area and we will do what needs to be done.  And we just hope that the public will understand that we must do certain things to restore some sense of normalcy within the Martin’s area.  We cannot and will not allow these two groups to go at each other because that will put the lives of the ordinary persons who are not involved in gangs at risk.”