No one denies there is crime. No one denies that every murder is one too many. Not many people want to look at or actually, personally do things to alleviate the causes. The fact is that tourists are pretty damned safe here. If you are looking at data, look at how many tourists have been murdered in San Pedro (none that I can remember in the last decade) and compare that to tourist attractions in the USA. Gang violence is a big issue. Much of the cause comes from the USA and the 'war on drugs'. I feel very safe here, safer than I did in London. I feel safe inviting family and friends here too. One thing that I know they can do is visit the library, restaurant or public event and not end up part of a mass shooting.
San Pedro has always gone through cycles when violence increases. Then it's dealt with and it all goes quite for a while. People need to start valuing life a bit more. A 16 year old child was killed in gang violence very close to my own home. Most people remarked that he 'deserved it' and wrote him off as 'just another gang banger'. He was a child. The reasons that a child was heavily involved in gang activity (this child had already shot someone at the age of 15) are the issues we should be concerned with. I know that many people posting on this particular thread have put their money and time where their mouths are and for that I am grateful, but so many more complain and yet you never see them volunteering to teach kids to read, helping at after school programmes, starting youth clubs, fundraising for sporting activities. They just 'tut tut' and complain and then have another rum. *vent over*
AmbergrisCaye.com 
