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! Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:44:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 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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