Comments on: Crime and Punishment in Belize http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/crime-and-punishment-in-belize/ Live where you want to live... Live how you want to live... And make money doing it! Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:29:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Manny http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/crime-and-punishment-in-belize/comment-page-1/#comment-6677 Manny Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:23:27 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1190#comment-6677 "Would you walk down the streets of South Central Los Angeles, California and expect it to be any different or less dangerous than Belize?" Less. You sound as though you're saying that with a straight face. I disagree with Carl's statement here: "The country of Belize has a small population, and Belize City is the only even moderately large city, so the crime there skews the numbers for the country as a whole" Have you read what you wrote here? Lower population density = greater likelihood of lower crime/murders. If Belize had the density of El Salvador it would very likely be significantly more murderous. You've lost me Carl you really have. “Would you walk down the streets of South Central Los Angeles, California and expect it to be any different or less dangerous than Belize?”

Less. You sound as though you’re saying that with a straight face.

I disagree with Carl’s statement here:

“The country of Belize has a small population, and Belize City is the only even moderately large city, so the crime there skews the numbers for the country as a whole”

Have you read what you wrote here? Lower population density = greater likelihood of lower crime/murders. If Belize had the density of El Salvador it would very likely be significantly more murderous.

You’ve lost me Carl you really have.

]]> By: Depakote Lawyer http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/crime-and-punishment-in-belize/comment-page-1/#comment-6486 Depakote Lawyer Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:12:18 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1190#comment-6486 I am going to have to disagree with Bonnie, as I don't believe she knows what she is talking about. Singling out Belize as if it is any worse than any of the other impoverished nations of the world is ignorant, and if you were getting mugged and robbed so often you clearly were not being cautious enough to know how to avoid those type of situations, or worst case scenario, protect yourself from them if they are unavoidable. Would you walk down the streets of South Central Los Angeles, California and expect it to be any different or less dangerous than Belize? I have traveled a lot, been to Belize, Rio, almost everywhere in Mexico, and I never thought of Belize as being any more dangerous than anywhere else. If your husband is a "streetwise ex-military" guy, it seems like he would have been more capable to keep you both out of so many bad situations. Belize is a wonderful place, and people should not be discouraged to travel there. I am going to have to disagree with Bonnie, as I don’t believe she knows what she is talking about. Singling out Belize as if it is any worse than any of the other impoverished nations of the world is ignorant, and if you were getting mugged and robbed so often you clearly were not being cautious enough to know how to avoid those type of situations, or worst case scenario, protect yourself from them if they are unavoidable. Would you walk down the streets of South Central Los Angeles, California and expect it to be any different or less dangerous than Belize? I have traveled a lot, been to Belize, Rio, almost everywhere in Mexico, and I never thought of Belize as being any more dangerous than anywhere else. If your husband is a “streetwise ex-military” guy, it seems like he would have been more capable to keep you both out of so many bad situations. Belize is a wonderful place, and people should not be discouraged to travel there.

]]> By: Hector Mar http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/crime-and-punishment-in-belize/comment-page-1/#comment-3933 Hector Mar Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:50:57 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1190#comment-3933 Often I would have people ask me what is the crime situation like in Belize. My answer is that crime is something you find everywhere and more so in larger towns or cities. The questions is, what can be done to correct this problem. A lot of it starts at home and with education. A country that knows how to read and write is one that will more likely excel. Most the crimes recorded are ones that occur late nights or that are gang related. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, you will find trouble or trouble will find you. With population growth also comes more issues like pollution, unemployment and crime etc. So is there an increase in crime? It seems that way especially with the internet-technology we have today. Years ago, you would not hear about it because the news channels in Belize were not up to date like today. I have friends in different parts of the world that keep up with Belize by hearing the radio online and reading the newscasts and with this, the news spreads like wildfire. People are bombarded with bad news like I was some weeks ago when I decided to follow Channel5 on Twitter. It automatically gives you all the news in tweets, right before your eyes (you don't have to follow it, it follows you). But there is good in Belize too. Like any place, if you do what is right and if you become a part of the solution instead of the problem, you shall not find or be trouble to the community. Belize is a great place. I have lived in Belize all my life and it’s the country I love, one I don't plan to leave. I invite you to visit Belize and experience what good things it has to offer and what great cultures you can meet. Often I would have people ask me what is the crime situation like in Belize. My answer is that crime is something you find everywhere and more so in larger towns or cities. The questions is, what can be done to correct this problem. A lot of it starts at home and with education. A country that knows how to read and write is one that will more likely excel. Most the crimes recorded are ones that occur late nights or that are gang related. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, you will find trouble or trouble will find you. With population growth also comes more issues like pollution, unemployment and crime etc. So is there an increase in crime? It seems that way especially with the internet-technology we have today. Years ago, you would not hear about it because the news channels in Belize were not up to date like today. I have friends in different parts of the world that keep up with Belize by hearing the radio online and reading the newscasts and with this, the news spreads like wildfire. People are bombarded with bad news like I was some weeks ago when I decided to follow Channel5 on Twitter. It automatically gives you all the news in tweets, right before your eyes (you don’t have to follow it, it follows you). But there is good in Belize too. Like any place, if you do what is right and if you become a part of the solution instead of the problem, you shall not find or be trouble to the community. Belize is a great place. I have lived in Belize all my life and it’s the country I love, one I don’t plan to leave. I invite you to visit Belize and experience what good things it has to offer and what great cultures you can meet.

]]> By: Macarena Rose http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/crime-and-punishment-in-belize/comment-page-1/#comment-3894 Macarena Rose Sun, 22 Aug 2010 18:36:50 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1190#comment-3894 There is good and bad about Belize and its crime issues. The facts are the facts, there is crime in Belize. With that said, I help people relocate to Belize, and have an education process we help folks with that is full spectrum. We believe in the facts-and Bonny comes from the truth side, which is awesome ! Crime is in all places of the world, knowing how to work with realms of each area is what helps. Some areas are not ones I recommend for most people- then there are others that I truly do recommend - "Belize is not for everyone, and everything for some people " I always say. If you are one that Belize is for, you will need to know the good, bad and ugly- to for sure see the whole beauty of what Belize is and has ! There is good and bad about Belize and its crime issues. The facts are the facts, there is crime in Belize. With that said, I help people relocate to Belize, and have an education process we help folks with that is full spectrum. We believe in the facts-and Bonny comes from the truth side, which is awesome !
Crime is in all places of the world, knowing how to work with realms of each area is what helps. Some areas are not ones I recommend for most people- then there are others that I truly do recommend -
“Belize is not for everyone, and everything for some people ” I always say.
If you are one that Belize is for, you will need to know the good, bad and ugly- to for sure see the whole beauty of what Belize is and has !

]]> By: Bonny http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/crime-and-punishment-in-belize/comment-page-1/#comment-1415 Bonny Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:25:19 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1190#comment-1415 Regarding your comment: 'you rarely hear of any tourists or expats being targeted', I think some clarification is in order. True, you don't often hear about it, but it happens all the time. Just the other day I bumped into a girl who was traveling from the U.S. and had her passport stolen. A police friend of mine told me about an older woman who got off the cruise ship, went down the wrong street and was mugged. Don't get me wrong, I have Belize Police Officers who are excellent friends of mine. However, as a rule, the police enforcement in Belize has a 'can't be bothered' attitude. A lot of what happens is not even recorded as a statement. They may feel, 'what's the point if the crime is committed and everyone knows the robber will go free anyways?' Every day in Belize City, tourists and young local girls let their guards down in the bars, and end up drugged and raped. Myself, as an expat, can state with authority that in the 1.5 years we've lived here PART-TIME, my streetwise ex-military husband was mugged twice. But unless (to quote the Police) you break their legs so they can't run off, no one can do anything about it. We've suffered THREE burglaries as well, but with no serious forensic department, the Police can't charge the individuals we know to be responsible. I had to press assault charges in a separate incident, but the 'higher-up's were bribed. & I haven't even mentioned the swindlers that have crossed my path. & believe me, my story is FAR from unique. So, regarding 'you rarely hear of any tourists or expats being targeted', that's why you never hear about it! The entire government system in Belize is corrupted from end to end. Belize is not for the faint of heart. Regarding your comment: ‘you rarely hear of any tourists or expats being targeted’, I think some clarification is in order. True, you don’t often hear about it, but it happens all the time. Just the other day I bumped into a girl who was traveling from the U.S. and had her passport stolen. A police friend of mine told me about an older woman who got off the cruise ship, went down the wrong street and was mugged. Don’t get me wrong, I have Belize Police Officers who are excellent friends of mine. However, as a rule, the police enforcement in Belize has a ‘can’t be bothered’ attitude. A lot of what happens is not even recorded as a statement. They may feel, ‘what’s the point if the crime is committed and everyone knows the robber will go free anyways?’ Every day in Belize City, tourists and young local girls let their guards down in the bars, and end up drugged and raped. Myself, as an expat, can state with authority that in the 1.5 years we’ve lived here PART-TIME, my streetwise ex-military husband was mugged twice. But unless (to quote the Police) you break their legs so they can’t run off, no one can do anything about it. We’ve suffered THREE burglaries as well, but with no serious forensic department, the Police can’t charge the individuals we know to be responsible. I had to press assault charges in a separate incident, but the ‘higher-up’s were bribed. & I haven’t even mentioned the swindlers that have crossed my path. & believe me, my story is FAR from unique. So, regarding ‘you rarely hear of any tourists or expats being targeted’, that’s why you never hear about it! The entire government system in Belize is corrupted from end to end. Belize is not for the faint of heart.

]]> By: Frank Tull http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/crime-and-punishment-in-belize/comment-page-1/#comment-1168 Frank Tull Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:48:55 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1190#comment-1168 Belize is a beautiful country with a pleasant climate. Come to San Ignacio. We are 70 miles from Belize City. Belize is a beautiful country with a pleasant climate. Come to San Ignacio. We are 70 miles from Belize City.

]]> By: Marc Buck http://www.escapefromamerica.com/2009/10/crime-and-punishment-in-belize/comment-page-1/#comment-719 Marc Buck Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:18:51 +0000 http://www.escapefromamerica.com/?p=1190#comment-719 HI: I've been thinking of visiting Belize to possibly relocate there on a permanent basis. Where should I visit that we e the most desirable place to live. must be near the ocean as I love the water.. thanks HI:

I’ve been thinking of visiting Belize to possibly relocate there on a permanent basis.

Where should I visit that we e the most desirable place to live. must be near the ocean as I love the water..

thanks

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