Was the Police’s Gang Mediation a Failure?  

Tensions between gangs in Belize City have been escalating, and the Belize Police Department is taking strategic steps to reduce the violence. Last month, Joseph Garcia was killed by gunmen while in a vehicle with Ronlee Petillo and Shamar Faber, who police believe were the intended targets. In February, the police tried to mediate between the rival gangs, but some reports suggest this attempt was unsuccessful. Here’s what Commissioner of Police Chester Williams had to say about the situation.

 

Reporter

“There is the failed mediation that you hosted where you heard a direct threat made to Ronlee and to Ms. Grant as well, from the same person he has implicated. Where do you start to pick up the pieces?”

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

 “You come with this nonsense again?”

 

Reporter

“The mediation failed. Sir. There’s been so much bad that has happened since then.”

 

Chester Williams

“Stop. Stop bing nonsense to me. Please. Any other questions?”

 

Reporter

“Did you not hear a direct threat to Ronlee Petillo in the mediation?”

 

Chester Williams

“We have spoken about. We have spoken about this at a previous interview.”

 

Reporter

“Because it fails sir.”

 

Chester Williams

“But you have a mindset that I can tell your world is so unique. You have a unique world, all kind of thing happen in that world. I don’t know,”

Reporter

“Sir, direct threats were made and things happened that fulfilled those threats out of the mediation. That’s a failed mediation.”

 

Chester Williams

“That is, that is your version and I’ve explained to you what was our version.”