This tragic incident does highlight some extreme cultural differences. Many who move here see only the similarities but have not lived the life of the Belizean. Yes Belize people and Maya believe in witchcraft and sorcery and divination because they have experienced it and seen it work. The inquisition was particularly brutal and thorough including burning of all written records because the Maya magic worked while the catholic magic did not.

Statements about a failed civilization are hollow and seem condescending considering the Maya ruled this part of the world for around 3,000 years. I have lived among the Maya people for 30 years and find them very friendly to all foreigners, with some exceptions of course. Lets see how long this environmentally destructive industrial/capitalistic system can go without falling apart. The whole world has jumped on the 2012 band wagon when in fact it is a Maya event. Failed civilization may not be the right description.

Until recent years a sexual predator prowling for children in Belize was unheard of and children are still raised by the village and go all over. In the last ten years the large influx of foreigners has changed that somewhat. If something happened to your child it was usually a drowning, poisonous snake or sometimes a croc or they ran away (usually teenagers).

Crocs are probably the very most aggressive animal on the planet, poke it with a stick and it will try to take the stick away and come after you and they are fast. Fear of crocs is different from superstition, it comes from factual knowledge of the beast, same with the Tommy Goff. Yes they have a place, far, far, away from people and children. Most all rural Belizeans would kill out all the crocs anywhere around their rivers and children except it is against the law now. Crocs still kill people in Belize although I think it has been several years since the last one.. Many folks living along the canals in San Pedro have chain link fences along the canal, not against crime but to keep the crocs out. They eat dogs and cats and would not hesitate to take a child. We have had children attacked by crocs right here in San Pedro as well as many pets eaten. These are facts.

I was surprised to learn there was no watchman on duty 24/7 on the compound considering the clear danger these animals present. Acknowledge the possibility that the kids could have gone to gather limes and look at the crocs and fell in. I am in no way suggesting that happened but a parent who has grown up being taught that they are dangerous beasts could see it as a possibility when all other possibilities have been ruled out.

My son has come home with croc bites because he climbed the fence behind WASA and he was playing where he was not supposed to. Playing with baby crocs and teasing the mother, if she could have caught him she would have eaten him for sure.

I believe the residents were acting against the crocs and the individuals giving them sanctuary secondarily. It seems nothing was done to defuse the situation. It is very difficult to legally search the premises without the owner. If the owners had been present along with the police and the villagers been allowed access so they could see for themselves it might not have escalated. It could have been an educational opportunity. Nothing I am saying should be construed as approving of what happened in anyway.

I noticed one outraged post saying "what's next burning down the police station?" Well as a matter of fact some of the town (San Pedro Town), a mob if you will, did burn down the San Pedro police station in the not too distant past. Those of you who do not realize where you are living should be paying close attention to all this.

It seems the PG police did nothing to prevent this crime or effectively search for the missing children. It seems the Police must have known what was going to happen, thats a better law suit.

I have spoken to a few San Pedro residents, all young Belizean and but not all indigenous people and the fear of crocs and poisonous snakes is intense and real. They without exception say they dont want ACES here.