AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye What is the story with the murdered doctor?

As always, Amanda is the voice of reason, and states the truth of the situation with complete accuracy and eloquence.
Thank you for helping to articulate the way so many of us feel.

I get crime happens everywhere. I was just dumbfounded 7 murders occurred out on the water within days of each other. I was glad to see the meeting occur last night and hope more is done. Yes crime happens in the US I just do my best to avoid area it is prevalent. I always assumed fly fishing wouldn't be an hobby I would have to worry about being gun down. I have been looking a property on Ambergris for a while now and have noticed a big uptick in major crimes over the year. Petty theft is ine thing worry about seeing your own blood is another. I was really shocked to here the island had trouble with gangs. Maybe that's my own ignorance for assuming San Pedro wouldn't have gangs. I was also shocked to see some of the responses on other social media sites regarding the murder of Yolanda Requeña. Many women felt she got what she deserved for being "inside" the man's home. Not really and eye for an eye in book but to each his own. Thank yall for the responses. I'm obviously still trying to learn the country.

Sadly you do need to have a reality check when you seriously consider moving to a place like Belize. The dream is what hooks you but you need to be fully aware of what you are considering. There is a bad side to moving here as there is with moving to many places. It may not be the right move for you and many have tried and failed. Our advice is always to never burn your bridges and come here with eyes wide open.

Heed your own advice and you'll be fine. Murders while fly fishing aren't prevalent in AC. Know where you should or shouldn't be and when. Worrying about the random one off crimes will trap you in your "safe" home that could be hit by an airplane at any moment. As for this recent plague, crime is up and down. You will see a run of bad news, then nothing for a while. There's no rhyme or reason to it. Overall, if you are smart and safe, you won't be the victim. And I know I'm a little more brash about my opinion, but it's definitely built on logic. Belize is beautiful, but growing pains will exist.

I hope the Dr and his family are happy it is not prevalent. One is too many Gangs killing each other is one thing. Murder of expats and visitors is increasing Another British tourist was murdered as well the other night

Everyone needs to realize that the reason we have gangs and high crime in San Pedro is because of all the tourists. Before when tourism was small crime was small. There is always an increase in crime when an area becomes a tourist mecca. It is the job of the government to spend the resources necessary to address the problem. It is they that gain the most by way of taxes and a certain amount of that money needs to be applied to remedy the negative impacts of tourism as well as the over-taxing of local infrastructure including health care, water supply and waste disposal and this has never happened. San Pedro does not and has never had it's equal share of police officers not to mention the additional needed to deal with the negative impacts of tourism. Concerning tourism in general, crime follows tourism as surely as night follows day. I doubt there is any place a tourist can go without being a target to a certain degree. Most governments realize that and take measures to protect both the locals and the tourists and do not wait for the inevitable crime wave to act. We are in this situation because of lack of action. For the last almost ten years I have tried to draw attention to the issue and it never gets traction. We even had a plan to install cameras and monitor them with quick response 8 years ago. Instead we have done nothing and are always playing catch-up and we are way behind. Proper planning is essential. It does not take a rocket scientist to know that tourism attracts crime and needs to be planned for from the start.

What he said

Look what the current deaths of tourists is doing to Dominica. Belize economy is tourism based as Mike said. Killing your golden goose by not addressing the problem but putting their heads in the sand

The problem is being addressed. We may not have all of the solutions but the community and the government is taking steps and making efforts to help us make our home a safer place.

If you believe that I have a bridge to sell you. GOB says that after every expat or tourist is murdered in Belize but nothing is ever done.