Dear Editor,

Hello and thank you for listening. I am routing this article per a friend’s request.

Belize is a beautiful country but Belize has a much bigger problem than passports and corruption – a problem that, if not corrected, can lead to the disruption of our second highest national income– tourism.

The Tourism Board and Government in Belize are facing a difficult question – do we want tourism or not? Do we help our police force with resources or not?

Crime is becoming an issue that is overflowing into many of our previously “safer” areas of the country. There was a timely article from a psychologist in Amandala recently explaining why our youth are turning to crime. It was very accurate and well written. We need to determine how to stop this crime. If we don’t, Belize will have much bigger issues than corruption and passports or cruise ports. We may be in jeopardy of losing our tourism.

British, German and American tourists have already stopped coming into Belize City. It is known as a high crime, “dirty” area and potential money-spenders in those countries are being told to stay away by the expatriates already here. Now, petty thefts are not only common but acceptable throughout the country.

These petty thefts are rapidly escalating into numerous beatings, choppings, assaults and murders in areas such as Corozal, Orange Walk, Hopkins, Placencia, San Ignacio and San Pedro. These are our major tourist destinations. They should be alarming anywhere. Tourists do not want to go anywhere where there is even petty theft – they are expecting a safe environment when they travel. Belize will not need a cruise port if the cruises stop coming. All Belizeans have the right to expect safe communities to raise their children and work.

Expats own businesses here. We employ fellow Belizeans and provide income for families. We participate in our communities and volunteer. We buy from local businesses. We rejoice when new Belizeans are born and mourn when they pass. We have input into media and tourism advertising in our original countries and are begging the “higher ups” in Belize to help us and all citizens of Belize, to help everyone, to provide opportunities for Belizeans to work by keeping a tourism industry safe and growing.

As members of these communities (and many of us are citizens of Belize), we feel unsafe walking during the day and leaving our homes unattended. Burglar bars are a necessity. The youth in our towns are starting to regard us as the “haves,” and the enemy. There is anger. Many of these youth we have employed in the past have formed bonds with their elders. The need for money and to support families comes first and at others’ expense.

Many of us have worked hard jobs for 40 or 50 years in order to come here. When asked, we can no longer tell prospective tourists that we feel “safe.” We have wanted to share the beauties of our Belize home and have encouraged outsiders to come here through our guidebooks, blogs, newspapers, advertisements, TV programs, internet, organizations and travel magazines in our “home” countries.

The author of this letter was contacted to do an international news story on the U.S./Canadian TV channel HGTV highlighting Belize. However, he is considering NOT participating because of recent thefts and assaults in Orange Walk, Hopkins Village, Corozal, and Cayo. He is too busy watching his back and taking care of assaulted neighbors.

We do not have enough police and even when we do, we are afraid to report many of these crimes because the criminals are known in the communities and have “friends.” The police are doing all they can and more. We salute and applaud them. But we do not believe they have the numbers, support and back up they need from the higher-ups. The town or village councils listen but are also trying to protect the youth of their community, and their own relatives. Some of these areas have started to put together their own crime watch programs. This is not working.

We are seeing citizens and expats leaving the country and not coming back. Some may say “good riddance”; however, these people are talking to their fellow countrymen. Word of escalating crime is getting around immediately due to the internet. The Tourism Office in BC was recently robbed. Guns were stolen.

Belizeans can no longer look away if they want to keep the tourism industry. More and more of the travel websites are mentioning thefts and assaults on citizens, tourists and expatriates. Those who own businesses are becoming more honest with their tourists about safety – they are making the decision that someone’s safety is more important than the money.

Does Belize have to put safety before money? Because that will soon be the question. We shouldn’t have to make this decision. The answer is that we should be able to have both. We believe there is still time to change this situation, to get our youth involved and participating. Perhaps opening up business-owning requirements for expats would help – but still enforce the employment of Belizeans.

Perhaps we can make the Belizean youth part of the solution – create a larger police force and provide training and a steady income to those who are “at risk” to become police officers and monitor their villages and towns. Perhaps we should enforce laws that when outside investors build, they MUST use locals for their workforce.

There are many options, but Belize needs to act. Now.

Concerned Belize citizens and expatriates