AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Skydiver NOT mugged!

In the non-foreign-touristed-area we visit in Central Mexico, where they don't have problems with gangs yet, there are now groups of professional thieves. They can slit a purse/backpack, grab what's inside and be gone so swiftly that the victim isn't aware until it's too late to yell. It happens usually when the victim is distracted somehow or in a group perhaps being jostled a bit. I feel sure the technique will find its way to the most unsuspected places but at least people aren't being hurt in the process. With knives being used as tools of the trade, it's probably only a matter of time until someone bleeds. The thieves watch people coming out of banks and ATMs or they have a "lookout" who reports to the actors where the cash is.

A good many businesses up north have cameras, but my understanding is that the police will not always arrest / hold those caught on video...

What Barb said . . .

Went out this a.m. and discovered someone had gotten into our bodega last night. It was securely locked. They got about $2,000 U.S. in woodworking tools. We had just replaced them after having been heisted a year ago. Grrr!!!

You need to move over to Belize City, much safer here!

I was under the impression that the neighborhood watch programs have drastically reduced the crime issue, at least on the south end. Perhaps successful and active neighborhood watch programs are causing the troublemakers to concentrate elsewhere on the island? Or is my impression incorrect?

We live on the South side and the Neighborhood Watch has been tremendous. This is the first incident I know of in 6 mo. The response of our security is very good. If anyone can find the stuff they will. Among the items is a router, saw, drill, pellet gun, and hand tools. They just now found several of the cases (for router and saw) in the bush.

We live on the South side and the Neighborhood Watch has been tremendous. This is the first incident I know of in 6 mo. The response of our security is very good. If anyone can find the stuff they will. Among the items is a router, saw, drill, pellet gun, and hand tools. They just now found several of the cases (for router and saw) in the bush.

Jason, I went to the last SACNW meeting this past Wed. They were proud to anounce that NO crimes had been reported in that area during the previous month. No question the watch is having a huge impact but complete elimination of the petty crimes against us "rich" Americans / Canadians / where ever, is going to be near impossible.

We defininately have a bull's eye painted on us and our property.

My contractor's wife grew me some nice Christmas palms from some seeds we gathered. Magda took them to my proerty to plant them for me. The next day they were all gone :-(

The next trees I plant will need a tractor to lift them. Maybe that will ensure their security. Maybe it won't?????

My "rich" pale skined 17 y/o got harrassed and then threatened by a "gang" member Sat. night right in front of me in the middle of central park for not having any money to "give" to this guy. Had I not been there to confornt the guy he may have resorted to physical violence on my son and he's not a small kid. In fact he's really getting some bulky muscles lately. This guy just kept comming back at my son for some reason.

Agressive behavior MUST be dealt with agressively. It's the only language some knuckle heads understand! There MUST be serious consequences for bad / illegal behavior. The watch guards and police can't be every where the locals are gonna have to play a major role as well.

That said I would like to wonder out loud why I saw BDF soldiers with rifles just hangging out near the airport during the day but not a sign of ANY soldiers, security guards or police in or around Central Park (or anywhere else we went) at night. The resorts have their securty guards out at night but that was all I saw. No government security seen by me at night 4 nights in a row????????????????????????

"Aggressive behavior" sounds like crack or crystal meth