A quick question along these lines:
We are planning a trip to Ambergris Caye later this year and trying to decide between staying in a hotel or Royal Palms Condos, which look lovely. But now I'm concerned with the safety issues of break-ins, etc. Please offer your opinions.
Thanks.

DIANE - Great response! Studies have shown that certain behaviors attract muggings, etc. Using common sense is your best protection.
Don’t walk alone at night!
Carry a light and a whistle.
Have a good watch dog – even if you have to borrow one.
Don’t leave ANYTHING outside – not even shoes.
Know your neighbors and their cell phone numbers.
Call the police if you see anything suspicious. Just talking on the phone to the police loud enough for a potential mugger to here can be a deterrent.
Make friends with your neighbors and keep them informed of your intended movements.
Behave as if you were in your own neighborhood at home – like:
Don’t walk through private property.
No whooping and hollering late at night in areas where working people are trying to sleep.
Don’t flash around a wad of money.
Don’t leave ANYTHING on a golf cart.
Don’t believe that everyone expects you to “bargain” with them.
AND – please, please, please, in public don’t talk bad about the locals.

Remember, you come here to enjoy the people and their culture – don’t try to make it like your home town. Leave your fears at home and relax – just don’t go comatose!

Luv2snorkel, put your mind at ease. If you take normal precautions about walking alone at night, you'll have nothing to worry about. We're heading back for our fourth trip in less than four years and safety is not a worry for us!! My liver has its own concerns, tho!!

That is all good advice too scubalady. Many tourist do seem to leave their common sense at home when they come down for a visit. Folks that first move to the island often act in a similar fashion.

There are very simple rules that we should follow to minimize the risks of us becoming victims.

Most people you will meet on the island are lovely, friendly and genuinely welcoming. But we have a small bad element too.

Buying illegal drugs from strangers is an activity that gets many a visitor in trouble too.

That's why I always buy legal drugs from strangers and illegal drugs from people I know.

Most of our visitors don't have the inside track!

So I need to go elsewhere for assistance with the NACHO group???

But you've already joined...and are in touch with them. Why not get your advice from them?

yes - we paid to join > 30 days ago (no follow up yet) however, this seems to be a logical place to post and share information for newcomers (that is, of course, unless we need to hide it from tourists or something.....)

Much of the information and guidance developed by the NACNW is confidential, so as to avoid helping the Bad Boys know how to get around the security schemes. You should communicate directly with them.