Don't get me wrong,I love my life here in Belize, being an ex-pat from the U.S. since 2003. BUT my God, why do we have to put up with Theft,lying,cheating,stealing,hassled by beggars more than locals because I have white skin,major corruption in the government and police force, and out right disrespect for human life?(I think I know so of these answers.) It makes it very difficult to survive financially, let alone be of service! It's not like there is not enough cash flowing through this country!
Since I have been here I have had A boat with all my gear stolen from me while living(researching)at Turneffe Atoll,and my local fisherman friend who introduced me to Turneffe had his modest resort on ropewalk demolished while he was away making the last bit of cash he needed to open(he came home to a concrete slab that took him and family 3 years to build) he since after not giving up began rebuilding and fishing was murdered by a drunk fisherman neighbor out in Turneffe over Lobster fishing grounds dispute while on his boat in Turneffe! A Cannondale Bike beaten away from me and robbed by 5 other guys riding bikes that overtook me on an early morning ride, a Trek beaten away from me and robbed by three guys, and I found out that that bike was sold to a police officer and I was unable to recover it, and a third bike beaten away from me and robbed at gun point after being pistol whipped on my own street two blocks from home. All of these were in Belize city. I had a vehicle that had at least 5 batteries stolen by breaking the window or cutting the lock on the hood. I have had thousands stolen from employees, all power and hand tools stolen from locals from my guesthouse, about 15 guests have been robbed on the streets over the years. Had one break in at the guesthouse and a guest robbed. I have had computers,cell phones, musical instruments, clothing, books,and plenty of cash stolen from me over the years as well!!!!

The worst part about this is my story is not uncommon and I know similar and worse things have happened to others I know and don't know, this goes for local upstanding citizens as well as foreign immigrants and investors.

For all its natural beauty that draws us to Belize there sure is a big price to pay for a"simple way of Life." It breaks my heart. I sure hope things turn around for Belize someday. There are many I have meet that are truly humble people. What to do?.............Thanks for letting me rant, I feel a little better now. Now I will try to do something positive today and put this behind me. Have a wonderful day and love your brothers and sisters, God Bless.............

There's always a flip side. I've lived in Belize for over 14 years and in that time I've had stolen from me one pair of shoes, one pair of rain pants (at the same time) and a bicycle. No one has ever laid a finger on me. That's it.

In 10 plus years on the Island my experiences have been about the same as Simon's. I've had one bridge pass stolen from the glove box of my vehicle and that was replaced without cost because I had the receipt. I will say that I try to stay aware of my surroundings and I'm not usually out late at night.

Now I have "lent" money a few times but I didn't expect to get it back so I guess that doesn't count. I usually tell the panhandlers to shove off so they don't bother me often. I especially dislike the stories about sick kids by men with spaced out or blood shot eyes because when I dismiss them there is always that doubt. The last guy who I gave a lift to produced an invoice from a doctor on the mainland. The invoice didn't say anything and it could have been from anyone and for anything. I thought about it for a minute then I asked him to remove his sunglasses. That told me all I needed to know.

Well I just wanted to pipe up and let everyone know that the situation on the Island isn't as dire for most, I believe. Commonsense, don't flash money; don't be where you shouldn't be especially if your drinking; do lock up and keep out of sight your belongings; and don't be too kind or should I say gullible. Do be respectful and kind. Of course I'm not in business dealing with the public down here which presents a whole different level of opportunities for grief.

I have a dear friend on the island that told me not to leave anything in my golf cart or someone would take it......I had a nice rain jacket that did not fit me well in the shoulders.....I left on my cart week after week and no one would take the darn thing. So I finally donated it to the Lion's Den......We certainly take the same precautions we took when living in Sacramento California.......We also believe that it makes a difference that we live in the area of South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch....

PS: Jim I love your tag line......Kelly would be proud.....

I must say that San Pedro(where I now live most of the time) is a far cry from Belize city! Almost feel like Ambergris Caye is a different country, and there is not 13 different gangs running around here killing each other. Although I have had a guitar and a computer stolen from me here. Location, location, location..........What can I say. Maybe Karma from the stupid things I have done in my youth haunting me? Hope it's over.Iv'e paid my dues and then some. Peace.

I've had one laptop stolen and I know who did it. I've learned that "loan me #" means give me $. I never loan any money that I need to get back.

Don't worry, it's never over. I just found out today our house was broken into recently, even though it's rented to someone else. Police believe it was the same person who broke in several years ago. At least, I hear, they have arrested him.

I keep reading about reports of crime and safety issues in Belize.
As someone considering a move to Ambergris Caye, I'm interested to know the extent of any crime and personal safety concerns. I'm aware that things are much worse on the mainland, especially in Belize city, but what about on Ambergris Caye ?

How often are there reports of muggings for instance ? Rarely eg. once a year, occasionally eg. once a month, often eg. once a week or daily or even more frequently ?

What about house/apartment break ins ? From reading these forums, it appears that everyone who has lived here has experienced a break in at some point.

Of course, these issues are symptomatic of deeper social problems such as unemployment, low wages and a feeling by locals that outsiders with money are taking over and running the show, causing resentment and jealousy towards immigrants who show, to them, an ostentatious display of wealth - perhaps a tablet computer or laptop. How are any of these social problems being dealt with by the authorities or the local community ?

Is crime becoming more or less frequent ?

We have had a house 2 miles north for 10 years and have had one break in and one opportunist who came in when some guests left a window open and that was several years ago. But you sure have to be careful and lock everything (except rain jackets it seems). We have had food stolen off our cart in town when we 'nipped' into a shop, petrol siphoned from the golfcart a couple of years ago, again in town. Bag snatches on the beach happen too, one just recently near us. It is a pain having to lock everything all the time but sadly that is what we have to do in London and it certainly isn't spoiling our enjoyment of AC - now must dash to get to the Wine de Vine Friday evening social gathering for a few glasses of something yummy!