AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize Life News U.S. Citizen stabbed in San Pedro

I'm down with Diane and Rags' original opinions on this. I know there is not just one part to adressing the issue of crime on the island but several, including the obvious law enforcement and judicial components. I will be emailing SPTC and encourage them to fill the vacant magistrates office as an intial step. I cant do a whole hell of a lot about certain aspects but I can give guidance to the people I feel somewhat responsible for and those are my guests.

I'm drafting some basic guidance for the information binder we leave for guest orientation. Briefly put situational awareness is required anywhere and particularly when traveling. The corollary is recognizing at risk behaviors and staying the hell away from a bad situation to begin with.

I dont think anyone is blaming the victim, maybe if someone had told him, "Hey look youre asking for trouble if you do this and or this" he might not have put himself in harms way.

I will say however that deciding to physically confront persons (of any age) found committing a crime is not something I'd recommend to anyone. But at 4 a.m. it's difficult to know in what "frame of mind" any of the participants found themsleves. And yes that includes minors and I'd suggest that anyone would be foolish to think otherwise...

Bear, this was the first thing that I posted:

Of course I would hope that we vigorously police San Pedro and weed out these bad characters. I like the New York "broken window" approach which worked well there several years ago. We all know that many lesser crimes are overlooked at the present time.

In addition the charge against these men should not only be armed robbery it should be attempted murder or the equivalent in Belize.

Unfortunately, what usually happens is that the tourist goes home and without the key witness the case is dismissed. There should be a way to get around this a little better but I understand the defense's concern.

The other part is that people in areas that they are not familiar with have a duty to themselves to try a little common sense and err on the conservative side if in doubt. The best police force cannot be everywhere.

True Diane , I haved lived in Michigan all my life in the same town. There are break ins and theives steeling things , but in all my life in the same place people arn't beating and killing people for cell phones and lap tops.And the lack of respect from young people today is very sad.

The lack of respect is rampent world wide i'm guessing.

Agree! No where does the current new articles state the nature of the 'socializing' with the criminals that purportedly occurred. Are we to not socialize casually while visiting??? These thugs are flat out violent criminals. They are rampant in San Pedro making victims of local residents and tourists, alike. Focus on the rampant crime and not the victims' 'lack of proper conduct'. I do hope Mr. Danielly is able to return to give witness testimony in the prosecution of these thugs. Attempted murder should definitely be on the prosecution's menu.

Yes, unfortunately "The lack of respect is rampent world wide I'm guessing." I believe you are correct.

I'm now living in my boyhood city (might have been a mistake to move back) and it has a population of about 90k. Not a day goes by without several incidents of robbery and assault which are mostly fueled by drugs. It is terrible and it is not the city it was when I grew up. Edwardo you are fortunate if this behavior has not found your area yet.

Still publicly advocating for vigilantly justice would just cause more bad news for the Island. I have no trouble with a quite tune up, out of sight but the right way to go is sticking with lawful means to keep this behavior in control.

Agreed ,SPTC needs to step up to the plate. I read and see a huge amount of changes on the island going on they are doing a great job, this is just one more that needs to be added to the list.

Youth programs - scouting etc.. idle hands and minds go nowhere but down!

As my father has always said; "Nothing good happens after midnight"

B-O-L-O-G-N-A

This mentality is so misguided. AC is a TOURIST destination. Don't punish the victims, many of which very much enjoy having a few drinks into the wee hours at a bar, and who for the most part behave themselves. That's just shooting yourself and the tourist economy in the proverbial foot.

Quit blaming the victims and start cracking down on the perpetrators. When chatting with acquaintances, old or new, I always recommended AC as a tourist destination. No longer do I.