Many of their vehicles, weapons and other equipment are provided by the U.S. Government. ?Check out OSACs 2018 Crime and Safety Report on Belize to learn the most up-to-date traveler security information. Burgos explained that police made several commitments coming out of the meeting including adding 12 more constables for San Pedro, installing video cameras for 24-hour surveillance, obtaining Coast Guard support for boat patrols on lagoon and deep sea, drafting new legislation to keep the identity of witnesses protected, which will come after a meeting between the ComPol and the Prime Minister, and implementing new strategies to deal with gangs among others. U.S. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security: 2015 report on Belize crime, U.S. State Department: Belize country report, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, operated by U.S. State Department, Mt. ANNUAL CRIME-COMPARATIVE 2019-2020. Respect your surroundings and try to become one with your community. An American woman disappeared over the weekend while vacationing in Belize, authorities said. It holds a diverse number of species. Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub. Briceo has directed Police Commissioner Chester Williams to lead the investigation into her death. "She was a trailblazer in the digital news space and was one of our first website employees," said John H. Idler, president and general manager of ABC7 Chicago. She was staying at the Nabitunich Farm near a tiny town called San Jose Succotz. According to the document, the country urges increased caution due to high levels of violent crime, such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.. 1 file(s) 142.47 KB. WebThe Belize murder rate is third highest in the world - more than twice the homicide rate of Chicago and higher than any U.S. city. They had been missing for nearly a week. ", "Whenever a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with their family however we can," the official said. The gunmen began shooting at a group of people who were partying at Jaguars nightclub. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. An expat in Placencia was also strangled in December 2017, found next to her rental vehicle. No suspect has been released in the fishermens murders, but investigators believe pirates executed the five men and threw their bodies into the sea, the outlet reported. My fear is, at some point, occupants will confront a suspect who enters a property and itll get violent. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. This is the generic advice Id give to people traveling anywhere. "Things happen, and it's super sad, and you don't want to be that person," said Natalie Shellworth, an American tourist. John Burgos, Executive Director of the BTIA spoke with Breaking Belize News (BBN) today, explaining that he attended a public meeting in San Pedro hosted by the Commissioner of Police. 1 file(s) 146.10 KB. I sold a house there last year because I was tired The man, a Guatemalan national, maintains he was just fishing and was not involved in her death, police said. The Belize Consulate in Washington, DC, called the shooting tragic, but told WSLS that it needed to find out more before it could comment. A Virginia doctor and his tour guide were murdered during a fly-fishing expedition in Belize, authorities said. For more info, visit our Affiliate Disclosure Page. Alison MacKenzie, 43, was reported missing in Rendezvous Caye on Saturday. But the I-Team has found dangers in paradise that you won't see in the travel brochures - including Belize, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. In January 2014, two American citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint from a resort area near the western border with Guatemala. Alison MacKenzie, 43, of Arizona, was among a group of tourists who on Friday embarked on an overnight excursion to Rendezvous Caye, a tiny island off the coast of Belize. He saved my life and every time I went to his office, he was a very knowledgeable, patient and caring person, she said. Email us at [emailprotected] for more information. Today we learned the tragic news that Dr. Gary Swank, interventional cardiologist, medical director of Carilion Clinics Cardiac Catheterization Lab and an associate professor of internal medicine at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, was found murdered, along with his local tour guide, in Belize yesterday, Chris Turnbull, director of corporate communications for Carilion Clinic, told the station. If youre moving here, get involved with a Neighborhood Watch scheme they do exist here. Martinez was not known to the two men and the motive behind the shooting is unclear, authorities said. WebUS tourist killed by gunfire in Belize The United States Embassy in the tiny Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation By The Associated Press January 1, 2023, 3:15 PM Both men went into the water to rescue her. WebSwank is not the first tourist to be killed in Belize, however his death occurred while on a fly fishing trip at a popular tourist attraction in Belize. The most popular nightclub in town is Jaguars Temple. To date, there has been little released about this double murder or any hope of solving it. However, New Orleans media outlet nola.com identified her as JBria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University. Email us at [emailprotected] for more information. Read more of Garys work on his blog. We are fed up of the press conferences and constant claims that show crime is decreasing, said John Briceno, leader of the Peoples United Party. If you read the US State Departments OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council) Crime & Safety Report for Belize in 2018, youll see the words exercise increased caution. They were travelling along George Price Highway shortly before noon, in a small blue SUV being driven by their tour guide, Leon Garcia of Big John's Tour State Department also advised that travelers must exercise caution while traveling to the south side of Belize City. It was the emerald hills of western Belize that attracted ABC7 web producer Anne Swaney. Following the murder of tourist Dr. GarySwank, 53, in San Pedro last week, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) has reported that as of yesterday, seven properties across the country have seen tourists cancel trips scheduled for November, December and even January 2020. "Anne helped us evolve our business and our newsroom, but most importantly, she was a kind person who was always had a smile and a positive attitude.". Most foreign crime victims dont realize theyre victims until they wake up and find out. This story has been shared 130,601 times. We've received your submission. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Dr. Swank was a well-respected and well-loved colleague who, each and every day, embodied the values that we hold dear. "We offer our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones on their loss," said a U.S. State Department spokesman in Washington. The killings drew international media attention but remain unsolved. Authorities said Swaney was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize, where she was pronounced dead. Columbus-area measles outbreak was the nation's largest in 2022. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Until recently, the only notable murder involvement by a US citizen was the bizarre John McAfee situation on Ambergris Caye back in 2012. In this part of the world, the most popular places for Americans and Chicagoans are also the most remote and the most difficult to get to, especially after a night of rain. And all Americans are encouraged to register with the state department's Smart Traveler program whenever in a foreign country - a free service that allows for emergency contact. She apparently had planned to go on a horseback expedition Thursday morning, but when the group came up one animal short, Swaney stayed behind. Our thoughts, prayers and attention are now focused on helping his family navigate this difficult time.. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. Thanks for contacting us. In December 2022, Belize dropped all Covid-related travel restrictions. Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. The incident could have far-reaching implications on the tourism sector, which when taken in the larger context of the services sector, helps account for over 50 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product. The tourist was not the intended target, it just so happened she was in the line of fire between these two factions, Williams told 7 News Belize. The I-Team traveled to Central America after Anne was killed. (And Which Parts Should I Visit And/Or Avoid?). 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Denver boy, 8, suffers horrific injuries in fall from horse during Belize vacation, Tropical Storm Lisa expected to become season's next hurricane as it approaches Central America, 'Godfather' director Francis Ford Coppola's island lists for $2.2M, Shark surprise: Mysterious Arctic species found lurking in Caribbean. Check out how we can all use Crime http://t.co/85asUnyi, Ambergris Today (@ambergrisnews) August 31, 2012. The American tourist was taken to the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. If he had not been the type of doctor that he was, I probably would not have seen him. A year ago, in a remote sugar cane field near the Mexican border, a farmer found the bodies of Drew DeVoursney and his girlfriend Francesca Matus. We are heartbroken at his loss. Pretty much every visitor toRead More Is Guatemala City Safe? By BBN Staff: Belizes tourism sector is beginning to feel the effects of the escalating crime situation as tourists have begun canceling their trips to Belize. What my research didnt tell me was about gunfire at night and conflicts at the Mexican border between drug runners. A physical check showed bruises on her neck and lacerations on either side of her head," Arzu said. Jerry Espat was killed in October in the waters off Ambergris Caye, while taximan Leo Skeen was killed at his home. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no one had been detained for questioning. Swank is not the first tourist to be killed in Belize, however his death occurred while on a fly fishing trip at a popular tourist attraction in Belize. I say considering Belize only has a population of 350,000, one or two expat murders should be a major concern. Im not sure if the recent decline in tourists is because of sargassum or increasing crime or both. Swanks colleagues and patients grieved the sudden loss of a seasoned, caring doctor. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. This stretch of winter into Spring Break is a popular time for Chicagoans to head south. A Canadian filmmaker was killed in January 2015 to the south of the district. Swaney is being remembered as a newsroom leader with a penchant for detail and a passion for getting facts straight. 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