LIU Responds to Rising Gang Violence in Belize City

Earlier today News Five caught up with Acting Director of the Leadership Intervention Unit, Andrew Dawson, and we asked him about the unit’s response to recent uptick in gang violence across Belize City. Dawson conceded that they are operating in challenging times. He says the LIU is giving the Belize Police Department space to carry out their operations in these communities, while still maintaining a presence in the event opportunities arise for mediation. Here is how Dawson explained it.

 

Andrew Dawson, Acting Director, Leadership Intervention Unit

“Definitely you know LIU supports the operational component of the police department. LIU deals more with the preventative types of interventions and the long-term interventions. So, when these flareups occur there is still an LIU presence to see if there is room to talk mediation or intervention. But there is still the police element that deals with the suppression of these violent crimes occurring. So, it is multiprong type of approach where LIU continues to engage and create a room for dialogue and speak peace and mediation and intervention, while of course the police department which is the arm of the Ministry of Home Affairs which deals with the operational tactics, the criminal charges and investigations, operates. So, it is challenging for us at this moment. We are faced with a hike of violence in these communities. I know it is very challenging because the community always wants that magic fix for now, but LIU continues to maintain a presence in these communities. We continue to see if there is a room for dialogue. There is not always an opportunity to talk. There is a time for everything and at this point LIU maintains that communication, but also gives room and space for police department to operate within these communities.”