Sorry Bing - not trying to spark paranoia. . . I would not have been walking on the beach the night I got mugged if I had heard that others had been mugged in the area --- it's not about fear, it's about knowing the local environment and being able to make your own choice for what works for you. Yes, there is crime in my city in the states too -- and no, I don't live an overly paranoid life. . . but I listen to what type of things happen in what type of areas and make my choice about my own safety based on that - whether in the US, Belize or anywhere in the world. I don't think a few people that have been mugged mentioning it is an attempt to spark paranoia. . . just an attempt to help people know its wise to be cautious.