Traffic and Behavior on Ambergris Caye
Dear SPTB
There are many nice friendly and honest people in San Pedro. I own rental property in San Pedro – at least 12 Belizeans make their living working for our home owners and condominium property. Many more Belizeans benefit from the guests we bring down to Belize who patronize restaurants, grocery stores, shops . They also dive, go fishing, boating sailing etc..
We depend on our guests to spread the good word about San Pedro when they return to their home towns, if guests have a bad experience unfortunately that is what they will remember and tell their friends and relatives back home about.
The traffic in San Pedro is a big problem – an even larger problem is the behavior of the drivers. I am afraid they will not have good reports when they are very nearly run down by carts, trucks, motorcycles, taxis and SUVs.
Our condos are very close to the San Pedro Police Department and many a time people will speed right past the police station! But the problem is certainly not limited to that area it is all over town.
I have also noticed people being harassed in town, on the beach etc. There are drug dealers frequently asking people to buy drugs. People do not feel safe when this is happening.
We own condos at Paradise Villas, we are constantly repairing damage to our pier and have people with bikes and drugs hanging around at all hours of the day and night. Vandals make graffiti on the property and leave garbage there.
You need to educate the public – the tourists – should be perceived as guests in Belize, they should be treated as guests. They should feel safe on the roads, on the beach and at their lodgings. They should be protected by the authorities. The taxi and truck drivers and the residents need to be reminded that the guests to San Pedro drive the economy.
Remind them that the guests are on vacation, not used to the narrow crowded streets and they must have patience..
Sincerely,
Cynthia Beer
