Monthly Archives: September, 2024

The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) continues working on a solution restricting the use of large sand/dump/delivery trucks in the downtown area. Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez said the Ministry of Transport has discussed this matter, and his team has recommended that these large vehicles be either barged or downsized. As a result, the Ministry of Transport is reportedly preparing a paper to submit to the Cabinet with recommendations from the SPTC.

San Pedro Town is the most populated and developed area of Ambergris Caye. Over the years, it has rapidly expanded to accommodate progress and the growing population. As it grows, the challenge of balancing progress and conservation remains a concern for the local authorities. To address this, studies have been conducted in partnership with international organizations such as IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture SAU, and the Inter-American Development Bank to develop a master plan that will include protected areas. While the project is being finalized, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has launched an aggressive project to protect the downtown beaches by implementing a nature-based approach.

The Fisheries Department takes this opportunity to inform all fishers and the public that in accordance with the Fisheries Resources Act and Statutory Instrument No. 108 of 2022, the Florida Stone Crab (Menippe mercenaria) fishing season opens from October 1, 2024, to June 30th, 2025.

On Tuesday, September 24th, at around 1:10PM, two stolen golf carts were found in secluded areas off the northwest coast of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. One of the carts was in relatively good condition. At the same time, the other had been completely stripped, with the culprits removing the engine, wheels, roof, and various other parts, making it inoperable. Law enforcement received information from an anonymous source that led to the search. Although the individuals responsible have not been caught, the police are actively investigating and seeking evidence, including fingerprints, to identify the perpetrators.

On Tuesday, September 24th and Thursday, September 26th, a small demonstration occurred in downtown San Pedro at the “El Embarcadero” regarding a proposed project to develop the San Pedro Artisan Market. The project, supported by Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, and Hon. Andre Perez, aims to provide artisans with an improved marketplace on Nurse Shark Street next to the lagoon. However, protesters expressed concerns over the government's lack of community consultation in the proposed project's decision-making process.

On Thursday, September 19th, the San Pedro Police Formation received a report of an adult male falling from the fourth floor of a building located north of San Pedro Town. Upon arrival, police officers discovered the lifeless body of a Hispanic male identified as 45-year-old Belizean construction worker Abisur Loza from Patachakan Village, Corozal District. Medical assistance was quickly called to the site, but unfortunately, nothing could be done for Loza as he had succumbed to his injuries following the fatal fall.

The San Pedro Police Formation has been active in their weekly meet and greet sessions around the island. The initiative has seen Superintendent Egbert Castillo and other police officers engaged in efforts to strengthen community policing by visiting residents throughout the different subdivisions of San Pedro Town. At their latest meet and greet, the island police force visited the DFC area, where they learned more about the needs of the people in this subdivision and listened to their recommendations.

On Tuesday, September 17th, the Belize Department of Environment (DOE) organized a training session from 9AM to 12:30PM in Ambergris Caye. The session, hosted by environmental officer Mr. Kendrick Gordon, was to educate council members, traffic managers, and head traffic wardens about a new ticketing initiative. This initiative involves issuing litter tickets to individuals improperly disposing of waste or contributing to environmental pollution, starting with random inspections on the island. Those failing to adhere to the regulations will be subject to ticketing and fines based on the severity of the offense.