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Ragman - I hire a taxi In BC not to protect me but because I don't have a car, it's way cheaper than renting a car, parking is an issue and I cannot figure out the one-way streets.
Just sayin.

Sadly it was the Belizeans of the GOB that approved Harvest Caye not the cruise lines. Belizeans robbing and stealing from Belizeans same as the murders on the Cayes. Many vendors in Belize City losing what little they got from cruise line passengers and forced often into a life of crime but it is the GOB that did this. They did not build it on their own with no government full approval. GOB lining their pockets on the back of even poorer people that is what is dragging Belize down, GOB doing nothing to improve the country just sell it to line their pockets

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*

We all do what we can do. My wife and I spent several years volunteer teaching in the prison and going cell to cell in Max and med tangos. After we moved south we volunteer at a camp and training school for Belizean children and young adults. Currently we help the only orphanage in Toledo district. We are doing all we can to help slow the downward spiral of the culture but when the government refuses to help or even try to stem the violence sadly there is little hope for these kids. When these kids watch TV every night and see politicians rob and steal and nothing happens to them, what are they to think if they do the same? Then the PCs are brought up constantly on charges of theft assault etc and not one goes to Hattieviille?

"Bloom where you are planted" - for me that is here. Grateful every single day. Diane..... You are so classy,,,,, and honest,,,,

I like CollyK's post a lot and agree with the sentiments expressed there. Thanks for articulating these thoughts so well. If it was a "vent" it was a useful one.

In terms of tourists being "pretty damned safe," I have mixed feelings about that. Reading about the man from Wisconsin being threatened at gunpoint by the local police certainly opened my eyes. I wasn't able to make my yearly trip to Belize this year because of scheduling matters. As I continue to read about what seems like an increasing frequency of crime, I am starting to have second thoughts about returning. Yes, there's crime everywhere but with limited resources, it's unclear to me how much can be done.

Sorry Katie. I apologize. When you said "Crime in the US", I thought you were referring to the old line ," yeah, people get shot here, but look at the US", which gets repeated here quite often.

I now see you meant the cruise line crime was in the US.

Sorry

I agree with El Gringo. As much as I love the island I am starting to have second thoughts as well. And yes there is crime every where else. I live in the Milwaukee area and go to Chicago a lot. Both have appalling - unforgivable murder rates. It is a lot easier to avoid the dangerous areas there than on a small island. It is spilling over to the tourists. Drugs, poverty and low unemployment is a tough thing to overcome especially with a low GNP. Hope like heck it can work out. If there is anything tourists can help let us know. Good luck

I am not posting this to deflect, but to pinpoint the focus of our crime on drugs-those bought by visiting tourists and the rest bound for the US to meet demand. Easy to legalize weed and eliminate that element, but not visitors demand for harder drugs and or underage sex. BTW, under US law, traveling abroad for underage sex is a crime and you will be charged on return to the US.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/16/...amp;nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=37304615