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We asked about that spike, especially in Belize City, where there had been an extended break from gang violence for several weeks. The Deputy Commissioner gave us a surprising answer to that inquiry, and here's what he had to say:

Reporter
"Where do you all assess where you have those long periods of calm, obviously, policing strategies are working, and then one weekend, there seems to be a breakdown, and crime spikes like that?"

ACP Edward Broaster - Deputy ComPol, Ops and Crime
"Well, we've identified a new group. What do they call themselves? The New Southside Killers. Through the intelligence mechanisms that we have, we've identified those individuals, and we are have put strategies in place to mitigate that. There are a lot conflicts that occur throughout the city that we have to be dealing with on a daily basis, aside from patrolling the areas of concern that would decrease citizen security. And I must say that given the manpower that we have, we've been doing significant work in terms of enhancing citizen security, despite some of those flare-ups in certain areas that we have to maintain police presence. Like I said, the operational effectiveness of the police officers on the ground will indicate that when an incident does arise, the officers are right there to interdict those individuals who are hell bent on committing crimes within the City."

Reporter
"New Southside Killers, is that a rebranding of old criminals and new? Can you explain a bit further?"

ACP Edward Broaster
"No, that's a not a rebranding of old criminals. Those are young persons who seemingly believe that they are invincible, and they can do as they please."

The Deputy Commissioner did not entertain many questions on his revelation of this new gang from Belize City who call themselves the New Southside Killers. He said that police are hard at work at trying to dismantle this group before it takes root.