Belize 2017 Crime & Safety Report Overall Crime and Safety Situation U.S. Embassy Belmopan does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The ACS Unit cannot recommend a particular individual or location and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ASSESSED Belmopan AS BEING A HIGH-THREAT LOCATION FOR CRIME DIRECTED AT OR AFFECTING OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT INTERESTS. Please review OSAC’s Belize-specific webpage for proprietary analytic reports, Consular Messages, and contact information. Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is the only English speaking country in Central America and is located south of Mexico and east/north of Guatemala on the Caribbean Sea. Approximately 25-30% of the population lives in Belize City, and nearly 50% are located in rural communities. Tourism is a major part of the economy, with high season running November- April. Over 1.8 million tourists visited Belize in 2016. Favorite destinations include the cayes (islands) off the eastern coast, including Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, and the coastal areas of Placencia and Hopkins in the south. Crime Threats There is no indication that foreigners are broadly targeted, although tourists can be easy targets when not displaying situational awareness. Over the past several years, there has been a shift in major crimes from being concentrated mostly in the population center in Belize City to districts in the north, west and south of Belize. Murder, sexual assault, and robberies have occurred in tourist areas in recent years and visitors should remain vigilant. Criminal acts, including extremely violent acts, can and do happen in all areas of Belize, to include Belize City and the tourist destinations (San Pedro, Caye Caulker). It is generally preferable that you comply with a robber’s instructions. Break-ins and vandalism of automobiles do occur. Pickpocketing, burglary, and hotel room theft are the most common types of non-violent crimes committed against U.S. citizens; they occur throughout Belize, and they have increased in recent years. Non-confrontational petty thieves are particularly active in tourist areas and on public transportation. Stay alert to pickpockets when in crowds and when taking public transportation, and be conscious of distractions created to target tourists. Make use of hotel safes when available. Violent crime has remained low in the tourist areas, though reports of theft are on the rise and some notable murders have occurred, including the widely-publicized murder of a U.S. citizen in the Cayo District of western Belize in 2016. Corruption, human smuggling/trafficking, the drug trade, money laundering (institutional and trade-based), and organized gang activity remain significant criminal problems exacerbated by the low conviction rate. Criminal organizations and individuals often operate beyond the ability of the police to effectively disrupt them. 1 There is some evidence to suggest that Salvadoran and Guatemalan-based transnational criminal organizations provide logistical support to international drug and human trafficking organizations and utilize Belize as a transit country along smuggling routes. Gang tags from 18th Street (Barrio 18) and MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) have been reported; although there is no indication that formal gang cliques have been established in Belize. Due to the small population and high murder rate per capita, Belize consistently ranks among the top 10 cities in the world for homicides, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The average runs just under 40 homicides per 100,000 residents. The murder rate in 2016, the second highest ever recorded, surpassed that of 2015 from 119 to 138. The increase from 119 murders in 2016 is likely due to an increase in shootings and burglaries and potentially from the displacement of crime from the central hub of local gang activity in south Belize City. Many of the Western expatriates were killed in rural areas of Belize, to include Cayo and San Pedro, in 2015 and 2016. As a result, particular caution and situational awareness should be exercised when living in smaller communities. Domestic violence crimes are extremely high and account for a significant portion of the total murder rate. Five out of six districts experienced an increase in murders in 2016: Murder 2015 2016 Belize 66 70 Cayo 27 34 Orange Walk 7 11 Stann Creek 8 11 Corozal 6 7 Toledo 5 5 Total 119 138 The Belize District, which includes Belize City, continues to have the highest number of murders due in large part to dozens of street gangs that operate in the city. Belmopan, the tiny capital with a population of approximately 16,000 residents and home to several diplomatic missions, including the U.S. Embassy, recorded 13 murders in 2016. Sexual harassment and sexual assaults against visitors have occurred. Belize is a source, transit, and destination country for those subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. No human trafficking cases were prosecuted in 2016. Cases from previous years remain pending and limited resources are available to victims. Cybersecurity Issues Cases of fraud related to credit/debit cards are reported in areas frequented by tourists, particularly in Belize City and San Pedro. Skimming, the theft of credit card information during an otherwise legitimate transaction, is most likely to occur in restaurants, bars, and hotels when the victim's card is out of view. Visitors should keep possession of cards and monitor bank accounts and credit card statements closely. Make sure your credit card is returned to you after each transaction. 2 Other Areas of Concern It is recommended that travel to the south side of Belize City be minimized to official business only and that personal trips be avoided due to numerous gangs that operate there. The Belizean government has designated certain areas as crime-ridden, thereby enabling law enforcement and security authorities to conduct random searches without a warrant. Individuals wishing to travel via personally-owned vehicles through the interior of Mexico and other Central American countries should exercise caution and seek country specific information. Several tourist areas along the western border with Guatemala have active military patrols due to several border incidents that are reported each year. Some excursions require a military patrol to view ruins on the western border with Guatemala. Ecotourism adventures and attractions -- diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, cave tubing, rappelling, bird watching, and exploring caves and Mayan ruins -- remain relatively safe. Diving and snorkeling are prime tourist attractions; however, there are significant safety concerns for tourists who engage in these activities. While engaging in diving, snorkeling, cave tubing etc., it is prudent to assume that safety procedures and standards are not up to U.S. standards, and careful consideration should be given prior to engaging in “at your own risk” activities that can involve long hikes, climbs, and dive sites that are not within cell phone range. It is recommended to have portable first aid kits and satellite phones available. U.S. citizens have died while diving or snorkeling in 2016. Inconsistent and overall lax safety standards may have been a factor in some of these deaths, along with age, swimming capability, inexperience of the divers, and/or poor weather conditions. Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Road conditions are improving but are still characterized as very poor. The road systems range from short stretches of newly paved roads in Belize City to decades-old pavement on the major highways that run north-south and east-west. Roads in rural areas/villages are typically dirt or loose gravel and in poor condition. The primary highways – Philip SW Goldson Highway (northern), George Price Highway (western), Hummingbird, and Southern highways – are in generally better condition (paved) than most roads. The combination of inconsistent paving and slick roadways due to rain have been contributing factors in several fatal accidents. Traffic fatalities remain an urgent, very real danger. The major highways are the only reliable avenues to transit the country, aside from airplanes operated by two Belizean commercial carriers. Pedestrians, bicyclists, cars, and buses utilize the same roads. Stray dogs also wander freely in close proximity to the many small villages that dot the major highways. Driving can be extremely hazardous after dusk and during the rains. Defensive driving is critical to navigate the road systems. Local drivers may use turn signals to signify different vehicle movements. For example, a left-hand turn signal i may be a signal for your car to pass on the left, or it could indicate a left-hand turn by the vehicle ahead. Drivers should always use maximum follow distances to ensure an appropriate reactionary gap. 3 Due to the absence of stoplights and vehicular police patrols, speed bumps control speeds, especially in/around small villages, schools, and population centers. Speed bumps can be a significant hazard as they tend to be very large. Drivers should always be aware of them, especially during dusk, dawn, and night driving, as vehicles may slam on their brakes to avoid hitting an unmarked bump. For more information on self-driving, please review OSAC’s Report “Driving Overseas: Best Practices.” If your tire is mounted outside, secure it with a chain/padlock or similar device, or remove the spare tire, reinstalling it only for extended trips outside the city. Replace one lug nut on each wheel with a specially-keyed bolt that locks or can only be removed with a special attachment to the tire iron. Street parking can rarely be avoided. If left overnight, ensure you park in an area that is illuminated, with security guards (most hotels have security guards), and within view of your destination. Use of a car alarm is a necessary precaution in deterring vehicle thefts and thefts of interior contents.