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SAFETY AND THE POLICE |
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Belize has a bad reputation for crime , but while it's true that
Belize City has a relatively high crime rate, it certainly doesn't live
up to some of the stories you might hear, while crime against tourists
in the country as a whole is very low, especially in comparison to other
Central American countries. Violent crime against tourists is very rare,
even in Belize City.
In Belize City , theft is now fairly common, the majority of cases
involving break-ins at hotels: bear this in mind when you're searching
for a room. Out and about there's always a slight danger of pickpockets
, but certainly no greater than in the surrounding countries, and with a
bit of common sense you've nothing to fear. The atmosphere on the
streets is much less intimidating since the introduction of the tourism
police , but nevertheless it pays to be aware of the dangers. There's
also a chance of something more serious happening, such as a mugging .
During the daytime there's little to worry about. However, at night you
should stick to the main streets and avoid going out alone, especially
if you're a woman. If you arrive in Belize City at night, take a taxi to
a hotel, as the bus stations are in a fairly derelict part of town -
though not bad enough to worry about for daylight arrivals. Having said
all this, muggings are really not that common, and your greatest fear is
likely to be the mood of intimidation on the streets, which makes Belize
City feel far more dangerous than it actually is. If you do need to
report a crime , your first stop should be the tourism police, where
they exist - crime against tourists is taken very seriously in Belize.
The police emergency number in Belize is 90; to contact the tourism
police in Belize City call 02/72222 ext 401.
Verbal abuse is not uncommon, especially in Belize City, where there are
always plenty of people hanging out on the streets, commenting on all
that passes by. For anyone with a white face, the inevitable "Hey, white
boy/white chick - what's happening?" will soon become a familiar sound.
At first it can all seem very threatening, but if you take the time to
stop and talk, you'll find the vast majority of these people simply want
to know where you're from, and where you're heading - and perhaps to try
to offer you a deal on boat trips, money exchange, or bum a dollar or
two. Once you realize that they mean no harm the whole experience of
Belize City will be infinitely more enjoyable. Obviously, the situation
is a little more serious for women, and the abuse can be more offensive,
but once again it's unlikely that anything will come of it, and it's
usually possible to talk your way out of a dodgy situation without
anyone losing face.
Homosexuality is still illegal in Belize and some recent prosecutions
have resulted in convictions and even a prison sentence. Although no
visitors have been prosecuted (or even warned) it's obviously sensible
to be very discreet. And given the legal position, it's no surprise to
learn that there's no openly gay community and no exclusively gay bars
in Belize.
Drugs
Belize has long been an important link in the chain of supply between
the drugs producers in South and Central America and the users in North
America, with minor players often being paid in kind, creating a deluge
of illegal drugs. Marijuana,...
Belize has long been an important link in the chain of supply between
the drugs producers in South and Central America and the users in North
America, with minor players often being paid in kind, creating a deluge
of illegal drugs. Marijuana, cocaine and crack are all readily available
in Belize, and whether you like it or not you'll receive regular offers.
Never attempt to buy drugs on the street. All such substances are
illegal , and despite the fact that dope is smoked openly in the streets,
the police do arrest people for possession of marijuana and they
particularly enjoy catching tourists. If you're caught you'll probably
end up spending a couple of days in jail and paying a fine of several
hundred US dollars: expect no sympathy from your embassy. |
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