Just for your info...
Misty Schlegal showed a picture of a 5 ½ foot Crocodile that has taken up residence between Casa Manana and Xanadu Resort along the beach. She expressed concern that it should be caught and tagged and removed from the beach areas before someone is hurt. (This croc has been seen for several months now, mostly around the Caribe Island dock-- but hasn't caused any known problems. We did have some guests with small children check out of the hotel due to a sighting back in March.)
It was reported gangs of local youth have been throwing trash cans into the road in an attempt to get people to stop so they can hold them up or mug them. P.C. Usher was already aware of the activity and stated they are watching for them.

I don't believe that "local youth ----can hold them up or mug them" Doesn't ring true.

ND,
I just passed along some of the minutes from the meeting. I don't know how true it is.... However, the minutes did state that the police were " already aware of the activity", so my guess is that there is something to the report.

Well, it can happen anywhere. Although I believe it to still be RARE, I have been mugged myself in SP, I still firmly believe it is safer than most us cities and towns and I wouldn't hesitate to travel alone to SP again... However, I wouldn't carry alot of cash next time. I take responsibility for not paying close attention to my surroundings late at night. One bad apple should never spoil the whole bunch imho!

1) It is highly unlikely that "local youths" were responsible. More likely off-island scum.

2) Leave the Crocs alone, they were here first, we need to make the accommodation not them. In general and from experience (2 years of assisting croc researchers) they are very shy and are more likely to avoid than confront humans (except when nesting). In the last 50 years there have been 2 legitimate recorded croc attacks, both in the New River. One where a fisherman had a stringer of fish attached to his waste while he was wading in deep water and one where a crook was evading police and swam into one on the shoreline. The incident a few years back with the child in BC was not a croc attack, friends of mine were at the autopsy, and there were no bite wounds, the child drowned from hitting his head.

I agree with off-island scum comment.

However, I would probably think it be adviseable to simply RELOCATE the croc.

I thought I saw a croc the other day in the sea, but when I blinked and looked back it was gone.

They normally prefer murkier waters so perhaps moving to the lagoons would be a good option.

Sounds like the perfect set-up for a money making business opportunity, the crocodile encounter. Not much is known about swimming, diving or snorkelling with salties, most people who have done so, unfortunately, aren't around to give advice.

I know a few people I would like to see "test" your idea.......

It is illegal to have any interaction with either the Morlette's or American Crocodile as they are both endangered species. Having said that if Forestry were to set up some controlled viewing stations and boardwalks at the lagoons I think that could fulfill the needs of the crocs and the tourists. Local guides could make money doing tours of bird and wildlife.

On the relocation, you could do that but crocs will move significant distances and you would probably have to move it many miles from AC to stop it from returning to it's territory. We captured some crocs 15-20 miles from their original tagging location on the New River lagoon.

I might suggest that the crocs be put to good use and they be used to eliminate the scum, just throw them into the path of the crocs....
besides the crocs were there first and the scum is a undersirable import...

I can't imagine that even a hungry croc would want the scum (which are imports) I'm referring to.

"off island scum" are Belizeans and locals.

That may be so but the referral is to the criminal element who come to the island with the sole purpose of committing crimes. To me those are scum, they could come from any part of the world and they still would be scum.

Your comment infers that just because they are Belizeans and locals that criminals have a right to do what they do.

My point is, and it's because of my faith in the local community, that it's unlikely to be island locals. There is a criminal element from other parts of the country that come here to take advantage of the citizens of and visitors to the island. They are nothing but scum in my book because their activities negatively affect every single Belizean in the long run.

it was a statement, no room for infers.

i think it is a huge problem! caught one trying to open a bedroom window a few nights ago.

something must be done, it'll happen and not soon enough. the island will not be able to sustain the rising levels of crime and measures will be made to eliminate this problem. i do think it's gonna get a bit worse before this issue is resolved.

some almost wish a "work pass" or permit is required to reside on the island, to be here you need a reason. may be impractible because Belizeans and locals do have a right to go and live where they choose.

SIN,
Also, any citizen of any CARICOM nation is also free to come and go in Belize as they choose. So, look at Jamaica's problems with crime, and that's what BZ will be like, (unless something is done).
And MY specific comment was directed at US SCUM. While I am sure there are bad Belizeans and locals, my issues are with US Citizens who don't reside in San Pedro, but still think they can rule.....

ibanole:
Clarify or extrapolate further please?

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