The monthly meeting of the Presidents of the various Neighborhood Watches around the Island was held on Saturday February 26th behind closed doors at the Mayor's Office. In attendance were all the presidents of the Neighborhood Watches; Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Culture; Hon. Doug Singh, Minister of Police and Hon. Peter E. Martinez, Minister of Human Development and Social Transformation along with CEO Ms. Judith Alpuche. Invited, but not in attendance was, Mayor Elsa Paz, Mayor of San Pedro. While the media was not invited to that meeting, Coordinator for the Neighborhood Watch's Presidents' Association, Mr. Stephen Spiro along with Forrest Jones, President of the Esmeralda Neighborhood Watch and Mr. Terry Colbert met with the various media houses on the island on Wednesday, March 2nd, to share the results of the meeting.

On the agenda at the closed-door meeting were:
* The need for a Social Worker
* The use of Manifests onboard Water Taxis shuttling passengers to and from San Pedro / Belize
* Streetlights
* Presentation of 2010's Major Crime's Statistics

Residents on Ambergris Caye have been working towards acquiring a full time Social Worker since 2008. The presence of a full time Social Worker would take much strain off the Police Force when it comes to dealing with delinquent, battered and abused children as well as provide a well trained authority figure qualified to deal with troubled children. This individual would work with local authorities, truancy officer, as well as social workers who currently visit the island sporadically. In the meeting, Hon. Martinez assured the group that their plea for a full time Social Worker was heard, and that as of April 1st 2011, Mr. Adam Kay - bringing with him over 5 years of experience with the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation - will take up the task of being the island's full time Social Worker.

Apart from the full time social worker, there was also a discussion of recruiting families that would serve as foster homes for children in need of such services. Details of this program may be obtained by contacting Ms. Ava Pennil via email to director.hsd@humandev.gov.bz. Of notable mention is a new initiative in Belize by the present administration to allocate funding to assist qualified families with financial assistance to their children for school. While this program will not directly benefit families in San Pedro, it promises to grant much assistance to low income families in Belize.

The use of Manifests at boarding terminals for water taxis is nothing new to the table. In fact, this idea has been around for over five years. Whenever the topic is raised in the past, it has brought with it much controversy. Public figures have been slammed with accusations of racism, to say the least. However, as explained, the concept of using manifests is simply a safety measure. Not to say that it would not assist in criminal investigations - especially when investigating whether a suspected criminal was on the island at the time a crime was committed. But that would just be a plus. Manifests are currently being used on every airline flying onto the Island, as well as by water taxis travelling into international waters.

The Minister of Police informed the group that while this has not yet been placed into effect, it is almost certain that within a given time the document will be signed requiring all water taxis to keep a manifest of individuals using their services.

As we walk or drive down the many streets of the island at night time, it is very apparent where street lights are very much needed. The areas that almost seem to invite individuals planning a robbery or an attack on unsuspecting passers by stand out. According to Mr. Spiro, research has led to the determination that there is a need for a minimum of 40 street lights in and around San Pedro. However, as Minister Heredia explained, due to major cut back in funding allocated to each constituency, that amount would definitely not be possible. He however suggested that ten or twelve would be a more realistic number. These lights would be placed in the most prominent areas.

The final leg of the meeting was the presentation of a Major Crimes Comparison report for San Pedro for the years 2008-to date.

From the table above, we could notice that while crime has decreased overall - certain aspects have seen a drastic increase. Notably - reported cases of Carnal Knowledge. While Mr. Spiro commended the San Pedro Police Department for their tireless efforts in minimizing the occurrence of crime on the island, he acknowledges that the various Neighborhood Watches have been instrumental in complementing the work being carried out by the Police Department.

The general pubic is invited to join the various neighborhood watches in your neighborhood. At present, listed is contact information for the present presidents of neighborhood watches:

North Area - Scott Harnish - 661-6353
DFC East - Luis Cabral - 670-8518
San Pedrito Area - Roberto Castillo - 670-2624
Esmeralda Area - Forrest Jones - 610-4550
San Pablo Area - Jonathan Mullen - 673-6464
South End Area - Flor Nuñez - 226-2450
DFC Area - Janine Lopez - 622-4101
Middle Island Area - Jan Van Noord - 678-4552

San Pedro Sun

" . . . certain aspects have seen a drastic increase"

Perhaps no actual drastic increase, perhaps only a drastic increase in the reporting of same.

We recently installed a power pole and electrical at a lot we purchased 4 rows back from the beach. We then volunteered to pay for and install the street lamp if the Town would maintain it. We could not get approval for the street lamp....

Maybe things will change now that the neighborhood watch organizations are supporting the idea......

When it gets dark in some areas it gets very dark....Even at 7:30 it can be a bit scary......

Agree with the comment by Seashell, which refer to the "carnal knowledge / rape" stats. This is the kind of thing that goes under-reported in most communities. Community awareness campaigns are changing the climate of silence on the subject.

Also note that the population is steadily increasing in numbers whilst the number of most other crimes goes down.
This is a very positive trend and all those who have pitched in to make it so are to be thanked and congratulated!

PS - not terribly important that I get an answer, but..... what is the legal difference between carnal knowledge and rape?

Judyann,

We just went ahead and installed security lighting on our property that also act as street lighting. We maintain and pay for this, but feel it adds to our security. The cost has been nominal.

Collyk,

Exactly, I think that is probably a good solution for us as well; once we get into construction....I'll ask you a little more about it once we get building....Thank you

Carnal knowledge involves sex with a minor but does not necessarily include rape. I’m sure more than a few of us were guilty of that in high school (depending on the age of consent in your area).

Carnal knowledge is NOT restricted to MINORS.

What is the answer then?

Since Ernie was so helpful...

Here is the Criminal Code, search "carnal" - http://www.belizelaw.org/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap101.pdf

When each of us put up landscape lighting it is much more attractive then public lighting. I ran a light out to my new gate and put a nice amber flood in it. It lights the road around the gate without interfering with the night sky.
I brought back from the states an incredible little light for my door. It is a cluster of high intensitive bulbs that use very little power and gives out a small soft white light.
I have other colored lights spread around the gardens. These are on a timer. I have two on motion detectors, one actually works. LOL

Improving Island Safety

Neighborhood Watch Presidents Association meets with Ministers

On Saturday, February 26, the Neighborhood Watch Presidents Association met with Minister of Police & Public Safety – Hon. Douglas Singh, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Civil Aviation – Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Human Development and Social Transformation – Hon. Eden Martinez and CEO of the Ministry of Human Development – Ms. Judith Alpuche. The meeting was held to discuss major topics that concern the island’s safety.

Mr. Steve Spiro – Head of the Neighborhood Watch Presidents Association along with Mr. Terry Colbert (South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch) and Mr. Forrest Jones (President of Esmeralda Neighborhood Watch) met with members of the media on Tuesday, March 2, to discuss what went on in the meeting with the ministers. Three major concerns addressed were (i) Proper Lighting in poorly lit areas (ii) Having a Social Worker Full time on the Island and (iii) Having a manifest of all passengers on water taxis.

Having proper lighting in poorly lit areas has always been a major concern as these areas are prone to be hotspots for criminal activities. A proper survey was done and it is estimated that 30 to 40 light posts are needed throughout the island. One of the major setbacks to obtaining this number of light posts is that the budget for almost all constituencies has been cut down but it is safe to say that San Pedro will be receiving at least 10 new light posts which will be properly distributed especially in crime vulnerable areas.

Another point addressed was the fact that San Pedro is a growing island and a social worker is much needed. Hon. Martinez, Minister of Human Development assured the Neighborhood Watch Presidents Association that as of April 1st of this year San Pedro will have a full-time social worker – Mr. Adam Kay. Mr. Kay is from Orange Walk Town and has over five years of experience.

Having a social worker permanently on the island will help to alleviate some of the strain in the police department and truancy officers. Mr. Kay will also be in charge of Foster Care and seeing that children are attending school. (Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent or have any questions can contact the Director of Human Services Department Mrs. Ava Pennill at director.hsd@humandev.gov.bz).

Lastly the topic of having a passenger manifest on water taxis was addressed to the ministers as a major public safety concern. Manifests are extremely important as it would help in many ways, such as not having a vessel overcrowded and ensuring the safety of all passengers. And it would also help the police department in investigations.

“Public safety is a major concern; we have noticed that many students take the last boat back to the island and there are many children and adults travelling and arriving late at night,” commented Terry. “Manifest will be helpful in case of emergencies to dispatch rescue squads as well as in monitoring criminal activities to and from the island.”

Although nothing concrete was set as to whether or not the manifests will be done, the Presidents Association are optimistic that all will go well as the ministers said “it is a matter of time” and will be discussed into further detail at other meetings with the proper authorities.

The Neighborhood Watches have increased in the island to eight, all of which  play a vital role in crime prevention on the island. A Major Crimes Comparison Report was also presented during the meeting.

Category      2008    2009    2010    2011
Murder                     3             3                3             -
Rape                        1              1               3              -
Robbery                   22           26             12            -
Carnal Knowledge    5            2               12            -
Burglary                   91          117            63            8
Theft                       101         102             59            6
TOTAL                   223          251            152          14

Neighborhood Watch programs do help the Police Department in crime prevention. It is very important for residents to take part in these programs and help the community to be as crime free as possible. Neighborhood Watch groups meet once every month. Anyone interested in joining the Neighborhood Watch groups kindly contact the presidents listed below.

North Area – President – Scott Harnish – 610-6353.
San Pedrito Area – President – Roberto Castillo – 670-2624.
Esmeralda Area – President – Forrest Jones – 610-4550.
San Pablo Area – President – Jonathan Muller – 673-6464.
South End Area – President – Flor Nuñez – 226-2450.
DFC Area – President – Janine Lopez – 622-4101.
Middle Island Area – President Jan Van Noord – 678-4552.
DFC East – President Luis Cabral – 670-8518.

Ambergris Today

Simon, perhaps you should invest in one of Mr Websters books.

PS, I see you are still a wise ass.

I try...

I am inclined to think that the apparent decline is in reality a drop in reporting. It is highly unlikely that we have an almost 50% drop in one year. Also far more important is how many of these people convicted. Many crimes go unreported because it is perceived to be a waste of time as the likelihood of conviction is small.

It is true, I didn't report it when I was robbed on the beach.