I got back from CC tonight. I stayed at OASI - near the airport. Never felt unsafe. Have also stayed at Iguana Reef and Amandas-no problems at either place.
I'm not saying that every place you stay is ok but we never have had any problems. Many places now have in room safes- although all I have used these for is passports, etc. Don't flash money and leave your jewlery at home.
The last 2 violent crime are completely out of the norm, but is is a little bit unsettling to think about. In talking to alot of locals this trip, most say that the majority of crime is not done by local people but by people coming in from Belize City or Ambergris.
The many businesses on Caye Caulker have huge investments to protect. They are begining to realize that being a "laid back" place is not synonymous with crime-violent or otherwise.
I love Caye Caulker and in the last 2 years there seems to have been a clean up of sorts, competition for the tourism dollar is fierce, and even a single bad report on the many travel blogs doesn't ever seem to go away.
Have fun Christmas- we are also going down the 23rd. to the 2nd.

Mark