Police Week culminated with San Pedro Police Officers parading down the streets of downtown and ending with an awards ceremony at the Belize Yacht Club where officers were awarded for their hard work.
The master of ceremonies was Superintendent Arnold, along with Sgt Leslie Wade. Area Representative Manuel Heredia and Mayor Elsa Paz were present to hand out the award certificates to police officers. Both the Mayor and the Area Representative are in full support of the police and all their efforts to control the crime in San Pedro.
Mark Martinez, Jason Shaw, Deon Broaster, Dale Aranda, Jaime Gongora and Yadira Jones were all given certificates for Outstanding Performance and Dedication by a police officer. There were several more awards given out to the existing volunteer constables that work effortlessly along with the police to make our island a more peaceful place. As well, there were also some honorable mentions to a few citizens and businesses of San Pedro for their contributions to the San Pedro Police Department. There was a beautiful dinner for the officers that followed the ceremony.
The presence of the Belize Defense Force can now be felt on the island. Their patrolling now brings a sense of more security to islands residents who hope that the crime rate starts going down now.
It has been said that San Pedro is a very warm and hospitable place and one of the main reasons why tourists fall in love with us. Though this might be true, is that the only criteria to make a place friendly? Here is what has been found out to make a place “City Friendly”.
A lot of people look for security and it does not mean the high presence of policemen and soldiers all over the place. Rather, it means that they feel safe to walk about the place without being accosted by some thief, rapist, drug pusher or any harasser for that matter.
Visitors and people in general like a place that is pedestrian and traffic friendly. One feels comfortable when pedestrians are friendly, greet you, smile with you or assist you in any form. Wouldn’t you be happy if someone assists you to change your flat tire or drag your golf car if you run into motor or engine problems? Drivers and riders can also be courteous and give people on foot the right of way. Always let tourists pass first.
A place is considered “City Friendly” when there are many parks and public places where they can spend some time simply relaxing. In the case of San Pedro, public beaches, shopping plazas, and sporting areas would add to our “City Friendliness”.
Tourists, especially, want some big fun public event, to look forward to, in our case, Costa Maya, Carnival, Lobster Festival, etc. These are great events, but there could be more to boost the island. Tourists also like market areas, not necessarily for food and vegetables but for souvenirs, gifts, paintings, crafts, and cheap deals like you would find at a flea market.
Finally a place is considered friendly if there are enough hotel rooms to welcome visitors, enough bars to have a robust happy hour, and budget friendly stores and restaurants where they are willing to spend without tightening on their wallets or purses. Let us not forget that travelers like a place that has a “friendly airport” and customs officials that are courteous and accommodating.
When tourists return home and can’t stop talking about their visit to San Pedro, then you know that they have characterized us as “City Friendly, well, “Town Friendly’. Or “The friendliest little town in the Caribbean” – La Isla Bonita!
- On Tuesday, July 8, Police visited the dock of Sun & Sea private residence located about 10 miles north Ambergris Caye where a palapa and a 26’ fiberglass boat along with its 150HP Yamaha engine which was underneath, were seen completely destroyed by fire.
Gabriel Rodriguez, 38 year old, Belizean caretaker of the said property reported that about 6:45a.m. he was alerted to flames coming up from the Palapa and efforts to contain it were fruitless. The property belongs to Mr. Jeffrey Dieselkoen who is in the U.S.A. Information about value of property or insurance status is yet unknown. Arson is suspected and the matter is under investigation.
It is unfortunate that it has to come to this, but the Belize Defense Force (BDF) soldiers can already be seen patrolling the streets of town. A spike in crime called for their presence on the island as their patrols help deter crime. Fast action from the San Pedro Business Association, Town Council and Area Representative made this possible. It is likely that the crime rate will go down in the coming weeks.
Food is pretty much all you can think when you are venturing up north across the bridge. Debbie and I (Dorian) were having fun with all the signs we encountered on our trip. Guess what the majority of signs were all about? You got it - FOOD! Two colorful ones that grabbed our attention were from Beach N’ Kitchen and Sweet Basil. Both are excellent places with great food to enjoy.
Town meeting held for residents to voice
concerns to the Police Department
Please…Please…Please…this is the plea of the people of San Pedro as we go through a season of high criminal activity with no apparent effort to curb the situation. Street talk about the town should have been on exciting events like Tropic Air’s new terminal project, Jr. College Graduation, landing of a seaplane, Dia de San Pedro, or even the Hon. Minister’s daughter’s grand wedding. But no, the talk of the town are the daylight assaults and robberies, robbing of jewelry stores, the shooting of the gas station secretary, and the shooting of the jewelry lady on main street San Pedro and the breaking of a glass window at a store downtown San Pedro.
Everyone is talking about crimes and criminal activities on the rise with no arrests made or solutions to the wave of crime. There is as serious crime committed everyday, and people are living in fear. It is seriously affecting the daily lives of all residents and has started affecting our daily bread - the tourism industry.
In other parts of Belize, we hear reports of crimes, but we also hear of arrests made. That is not the case in San Pedro. It is a lamentable story, but it is the truth. The criminals are laughing at everyone and getting even bolder. If we do not stop them, they will terrorize our residents all year long.
Several solutions have been suggested, and we would like to repeat them for the authorities to listen and consider. First, victims are calling for justice. Where are the Justices of the Peace, who should represent “peace”? Are they just appointed for political favors?
Secondly, people are asking for the return of the Belize Defense Force (BDF). Still others are saying that the policemen belong on the streets, not the police station and that we need to triple police patrols during the day and night.
Finally here is as wise suggestion from the citizenry. The police should approach and question every suspicious looking individual or groups walking on the streets with no apparent goal or plan and intention to be going to work. Question their names, social security card, and proof of Belizean residency, address of residency, place of employment, name of boss or employer. If their answers are not adequate, give them one week to get all documentations and job. Repeat this process every day or every time you see them on the streets, even if it is two times each day. If they still do not respond positively, take them to the police station and take a statement on record, and question them even more strictly.
If they still do not respond positively, then see how they can be shipped out of San Pedro and even though Belizeans have a right to live anywhere, there are also laws against loitering, harassing people on the streets, vagrants and hobos and disorderly conduct.
PLEASE…those in authority do something urgently. While the hard working San Pedro people are at work, the criminals are sleeping. And while we are sleeping, then they are out in the night working their heinous, atrocious, and wicked plans. We need to win the battle on crime. At the moment they are winning.
Minister and Mayor Speak Out
Minister of Tourism and Area Representative of Belize Rural South, Hon. Manuel Heredia, said that he has addressed this serious issue to Central Government and will deliver every couple of weeks a deployment of BDF soldiers to the island for the next couple years. He stressed that he will work on bringing more tourism police and special constable to reinforce the San Pedro Police Department.
“I am putting a lot of emphasis and I am taking a different approach on fighting crime on the island,” he commented.
Meanwhile, Mayor Paz has expressed her discontent with the police department at Reef Radio’s Morning Show and urged the police officers to work harder by conducting more patrols.
“It is evident that there is corruption in the department and the town needs to take hold of jurisdiction over the department,” she said. “Right now we cannot do anything because control falls on central government. Our livelihood and tourism industry is at stake.”
Tourism season is slow, but what is on the rise is crime on the island! A crime wave has many residents concerned at the moment and because things are slow, many are feeling the pinch. Just this past weekend there were many reported assaults, robberies and even gun shots. Maybe it's time to bring back the Belize Defense Force to patrol the streets once again. Their presence surely helps a lot. Tonight, as part of Police Week, the Police Department will hold a public meeting at the Lions Den at 7:00p.m. The public is invited to attend and voice its concerns; only in this way will the department be aware of the crime that is taking place and we can push them to do better for our town.
Its known around the world for its interactive experience with nurse sharks and sting rays. San Pedro's Hol Chan Marine Reserve is home to Shark Ray Alley where visitors can swim amongst these impressive marine creatures. These are some pictures taken this past weekend as tourist guide Wilber Marin takes family on a day of fishing and a quick stop at Shark Ray Alley.
There were a few establishments that had special events to celebrate the US Fourth of July Independence. It is not a widely celebrated event on the island and most partying occurs in private homes of US residents and ex-pats. But Palapa Bar was one of the establishments on the island that had Caribbean Calypso Music by Tanya and Jim on Sunday, June 6. Another party place included Crazy Canuk's Bar and Footprints had a big blowout sale on Crocs Shoes.
The final two graduation ceremonies of the season took place this past weekend. San Pedro Junior College held theirs on Saturday, June 5, while the San Pedro Preschool held their graduation on Sunday, June 6. Here they are marching towards the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church were their mass and ceremonies were held.
This is definitely not the usual scene you encounter when you pull up to the Lagoon Side Texaco Gas Station. A large crowd gathered to see this Twin Otter Seaplane pull up to the gas station to fill up on fuel.
It is the largest seaplane that has made its way to the waters of Ambergris Caye. Italo, the person in charge of the plane, told Ambergris Today the he and the pilot are on their way to Peru, South America, to deliver the plane to an oil company. They have been traveling from Canada. The flight crew plans to say in San Pedro for the night and leave early tomorrow morning. They filled up on 500 gallons of diesel which brings their bill to almost $6,000Bze!
Groundbreaking ceremonies for Tropic Air's new terminal was held this morning with Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, doing the honors of shoveling the first piece of dirt. Master of Ceremonies, David Marin, opened by stating that Tropic Air has come a long way since commencing service 1979 with one Cessna Caravan and one employee - Miss Flora Ancona.
Tropic Air now employs over 200 Belizeans in eight stations throughout the country and operating 11 aircraft. Tropic's President, Johnny Grief, commented that this new terminal is a long awaited dream for the company and that the next goal is to quadruple the size of their hanger in San Pedro and construct a new cargo building in Belize City.
Mysterious Gallons on Roadside Upon closer inspection, the person who sent in this pictures described to Ambergris Today that these gallons on the side of the road contain used cooking oil. And apparently this is not the first time they see these type of gallons on the road leading to Victoria House. Someone is illegally dumping these gallons of oil that have spilt onto the brick streets and caused a foul stench in the area. Our reader is concerned about the negative environmental impact this has on the earth and urges the proper authorities to look into the matter. “Please, someone help!” she exclaimed.
More Vehicles on the Beach More and more people keep on driving their golf carts, and even trucks, on the beach from Fido’s all the way to Tackle Box. The Town Council has closed the street leading to the municipal pier, but many find ways to drive their carts through Central Park benches and Atlantic Bank’s parking lot. One of our readers sumbitted these two pictures of residents driving on the beach and on the park bricks. He urges the Town Council and the Traffic Department to look into this matter if they want to preserve the beautiful beaches and prevent degredation of Central Park. *People , please stop this practice!*
