7 News Belize

Ghost Town Boss Walks Away From Gang Life
posted (October 14, 2014)
For over 20 years, Roger Anthony, who has been living inside Mayflower Street, has been identified by numerous persons as the leader of the Ghost Town Crips, one of the most feared gangs in Belize City.

But recently he's been going mainstream - well, sort of. You've seen him on this newscast making appearances on the news as the leader of the Mayflower group of workmen who have been taking part in the construction of the Chetumal Boulevard.

But today, he took it one step further: he made a bold move, and announced on national television that he's walked away from the gang life. Here's how he explained it:

Roger Anthony - No Longer With Mayflower
"I am here today to say that the gang life that I've been in for the past 26 years, that isn't a life and I think it's time for us, we as leaders to make a change and to stand up and help the police especially the Gang Suppression Unit to stand strong and work with each leaders of the community so that we can make a change. It's only us that can make a change and we along with then can make a change. That's what I am trying to do and that's what I am going to do and I am going to renounce that I ain't no leader in no gang, I am just leader of a work group with Mr. Cisco and that's what I am going to carry on after this. I just hope that the other gang leaders' picked up that what I am doing and continue and we go live in a peaceful country without violence."

Reporter
"Can you say what inspired you to make this dramatic change?"

Roger Anthony
"I have a family, I have wife, I have children, I have sister, brothers and it's not right to be killing each other, we should be helping each other, show each other the right way, show each other God's way."

Reporter
"Now that Mr. Anthony has renounce the leadership of the "Ghost Town Crips," will he be spared from the microscope of the GSU?"

Insp. Mark Flowers - Commander, GSU
"I have not said that we were going to stop working. I am saying that we are going to work with people on a different level and if somebody, anybody who does nothing and has nothing to fear and go about living their life in a constructive, positive manner then certainly you are not on the GSU radar."

But, there have been former reputed gang leaders who've walked away from the life in the past; notable personalities include George "Junie Balls" McKenzie Sr., and Raymond "Killa" Gentle. Still, they were targeted after making the transition. Today, we asked Roger Anthony, if he fears this:

Daniel Ortiz
"You have been associated with Mayflower for many years now, how do you get away from that reputation and try to disassociate yourself with that element in your neighborhood?"

Roger Anthony
"Well I just have to continue work, I am going to work, the guys that want to work with me, we gonna work and do positive things. It's not like I am going to move out or anything, it's just that we are going to do positive things."

Daniel Ortiz
"Are you afraid that by walking away from this you may be opening yourself up to those who may want to take advantage of the fact that, you know what, Roger gone soft."

Roger Anthony
"I am not going to be opening up myself. I am just going to be the same way; positive. I am around the same way. Every day is just going to be work, it's not going to be negative, so it's not that I am being soft or anything."

Daniel Ortiz
"What kind of influence are you going to try to bring to those young men who looked up to you at that figure - to try to describe, you know what, you followed me this way, this path, now you must follow me at another direction."

Roger Anthony
"Well, take off your tattoos like I did, not representing any gang and continue work and show society positive things."

Daniel Ortiz
"How do you - I am not trying to ascribe blame to you or to impute your character in any kind of way, but how do you walk away from all of this knowing that your neighborhood has been accused of many terrible things?"

Roger Anthony
"Yes but you can't look at the past, we have to look at the future. That's what I am doing, I ain't looking back at the past."

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