Thanks Ron. I am coming - have my ticket - used to live on the island a couple of winters about 8 years ago. Always missed it. My kids have gone down - they loved it. Yeah....the magic of CC is the PEOPLE. So don't worry - I will continue to tell friends and family to go to visit. Touristas can be a pain sometimes but they are needed. And you guys have to make them feel secure. It's a symbiotic relationship. Right? So however you guys can make it work to everyone's satisfaction (hard to do though) then get it done. Tourist season has begun!!! See ya all soon.

Ron;
Your observations are right-on, but your are an outsider a Gringo. The folks of CC will work it out themselves! You will learn or leave. The best thing is watch-out for yourself and your neighbours stuff. They sure don't want some Gringo patrolling their streets! Remember it was one of their own that was MURDERED!!! They will work it out in their own way. Six months is no time to assimilate. Watch your back and get a big dog. Remember, it is your money not your opinion that in valued. Caye Caulker is paradise not Heaven. You might also want to stay away from their meetings too.

DanDan, your post sounds somewhat threatening and makes residents of Caye Caulker sound like a greedy scary bunch who don't like anyone else for any other reason than the money in their pockets.

This is a multicultural world. In major North American cities we bend over backwards to make sure newcomers assimilate and prefer to have them involved in our community rather than sticking to their own kind and never learning the ways of the country they have moved to and feeling like they belong. The only way for any community not to resent newcomers is for them to assimilate and be a part of it. I applaud Ron for supporting the community he is living in any way that he can. And what exactly makes an outsider? Check out this link and see all the 'outsiders' that are now a part of Belize http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/269964/Multi_Ethnic_Nation.html#Post269964 Belize is a multi-cultural country. Where do you draw the line? Because one has white skin?

Your post makes me feel unwanted on Caye Caulker unless I have money to throw around. No thanks.

And what no one has touched on yet is the fact that this poor family were clearly not well off. There is obviously more to this story than meets the eye. Most random crimes for financial motivations would be directed towards a 'rich' tourist before a modest local family in the community and not be so violent or brazen. Let's hope some poor schmuck who's only crime has been petty ones so far doesn't get framed for this one just so someone can collect the reward money.

"half of preventing crime is having a strong police presence."

DOES ANYONE GET THE IMPLICATION OF THIS SENTENCE?
first, its not factual. second, it supposes force against force...

you all keep talking about crime as if you can sweep it away with a good cops broom. a real big , strong , cop broom...

the 'PREVENTION' of crime is in community. not legislation and cop patrols and

but why build a better community when you can build bigger walls and stronger hoods...lets not forget the cameras and the guns and the jails and the taxes to pay for it all...

i suggest mirrors.

well while i have one at hand I thought...HERE LET ME GIVE YOU A GREAT EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT.

hows that approach working for you so far...

Amanda,
Thank you for (almost) agreeing with me. I don't know Sgt Wade but he sounds good. One of the things I was told by people I asked on thepolice/crime situation is that sometimes there are not enough police on duty to both man the police station AND go out to respond to the call.
If that is the case I would volunteer to help the police in any way they chose. Volunteering to help the police seems like a good way to increase the police presence without spending more money. It also seems like a natural way to monitor the police at the same time you are helping them.

Artorious ,you nailed it.

There are two programs that are operated in Belize that employ the useage of volunteers. The COPS (citizens on patrol) system and the Special Constables program. COPS is monitored by the police and basically is as the name states, citizens on patrol. Citizens on Patrol are expected to call the police if they happen upon a crime in progress and are not expected to apprehend criminals. This is a good program that enables neighbours and concerned citizens to do something to assist their neighbourhood when they lack the number of police officers
necessary in order to handle a full patrol beat. The Special Constables program is more specialized and requires training in the laws of Belize and law enforcements, officers are sworn in and become police officers. They are often voluntary, however some communities pay special constables in order to add manpower to complement their police force. San Pedro often has paid Special Constables on duty. Even voluntary Special Constables are required to actively be on duty for a certain number of hours each month. They work under the command of the area police department and must report to duty if ordered to do so by the Officer in Command.

As an aside, I thought the comment about the colour of skin to be entirely out of context. There are many Belizeans with white skin and many non-Belizeans with dark skin so I don't see how that can be a factor in determining a person's status as a local or a gringo.

Amanda,
I think you missed the point of Verbatim09's "white skin" comment. It was a rhetorical question designed to make us think and realize how absolutely rediculous it sounds!