24 APR
2016
THE BELIZE TIMES
5 05
EDITORIAL
A Product of Dean’s Square “So much political power in the city yet at night it’s a ghost town, imprisoned by fear” – “Policing Crime in Belize City” by Fermin Olivera, The BELIZE TIMES, Sunday April 3, 2016 The legacy of Dean Oliver Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize, and longest-serving member from Queen Square will include the introduction of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) along with their horror stories of abuses against the Belizean people. While Barrow introduced the American-trained and funded GSU as a paramilitary arm of our security forces, in his constituency he witnessed the rise of members of the well-known George Street Gang which became an asset to his political machinery when it was necessary. The GSU’s objective, as its name declares, is to suppress the gangs in Belize. So far, however, the suppression tactics has only added fuel to the wars on the streets, and at times the police hierarchy itself, but this is a discussion for another Editorial. In August 2011, the GSU struck on George Street residents and well-known members of the GSG when they carried out searches of residences with brutal force. Several residents claimed police brutality and eventually sued and won large compensation for the GSU’s actions. In March 2012, an audio recording revealed the GSU’s planned “War against George Street” as a tactical operation. So much so that when in January 2013, four men connected to George Street were killed viciously in their apartments on Plues Street, the GSU were the first suspects in the eyes of the public. Over the past eight years, the George Street Gang gained prominence in the streets of Belize City. In all “gang truces” with the Barrow Administration the GSG seemed to be the lead negotiating group. At times other “gangs” have felt left out as the senior politicians sat around the table with gang leaders to discuss a quid pro quo. The GSG are priority for work
opportunities in infrastructure projects. The GSG has certainly taken advantage of the closeness to the Prime Minister through his political constituency, so much so that in one instance the Prime Minister cancelled an official trip to a CARICOM meeting to attend a gang truce meeting. When the gangs demanded money to keep the peace, the Government coughed up over a million dollars to buy false security. The irony to Dean’s successes in Queen Square is that the George Street Gang came to be under him. He has had enough time to help his constituents in a meaningful way as the area representative for the past 30 plus years but he turned a blind eye. The Barrow that grew up in the Southside of Belize City knows that the only way out of poverty, out of crime, out of life with no meaning and purpose is to get an education. Barrow at least had the privilege of having people who cared enough to see him become productive. But this he kept to himself. The boys in the hood were only good to become voters. There are powerful UDP politicians in the Southside who hold senior Ministerial posts in Government. They all hold influential portfolios including Education, Finance, Poverty Alleviation, Social Transformation and Housing. Dean sits at the throne. Dean has had enough time, enough money, enough power to change the future for George Street. He chose not to. Now, the chickens have come home to roost. George Street has lost “Pinky”, “Long John”, “Ghost”, “Robbery” and now “Shiny”. While we note that gang members are not saints, they were once children and teenagers looking for an opportunity to become productive. Did Dean Barrow give George Street a fair chance? Our response is that with all the political power and the pretending to be on their side, they never stood a chance in Dean’s Square.