On August 8th at 10AM, San Pedro Town Councilor Dianeli Aranda sat down with Inspector George Lemus on her “Coffee with Danni” program for a wide-ranging discussion about crime, youth, tourism, and community trust in San Pedro. The interview focused on Lemus’ role as Acting Officer Commanding the San Pedro Police Formation and what the department is doing to keep the island safe.
Lemus said one of his main priorities in San Pedro is building trust between police and residents, emphasizing that public safety works best when people see officers as approachable and supportive. He said the island’s mix of residents and visitors, combined with its tourism-driven economy, makes cooperation especially important. He encouraged residents to strengthen home security, report suspicious activity, and look out for one another. He also warned against attempting to handle dangerous situations on their own, noting that police officers are trained to handle fights, threats, and other volatile incidents.
Before arriving in San Pedro, Lemus built a long career in the Belize Police Department after joining in 1999 at the age of 21. He said he spent more than 16 years as a detective with the Criminal Investigation Branch and served in administrative and divisional posts, including in Mango Creek, the Eastern Division, Gang Suppression Unit, and Ladyville. Lemus said he has been in San Pedro for a little more than a year and assumed the role of Acting Officer Commanding after previously serving as Deputy Officer Commanding. He described the island as having a different culture and lifestyle that he has come to appreciate.
On youth crime prevention, Lemus said keeping young people away from crime is a shared responsibility among police, parents, and the wider community. He pointed to school visits, anti-bullying talks, sports clubs, and youth groups as part of the department’s outreach efforts. He said mentorship is important because officers should be viewed as role models and not only as enforcers. Lemus added that internships, apprenticeship programs, clean-up projects, and other service activities can give young people a sense of purpose, while businesses can help by creating employment opportunities and supporting skills training.
Lemus also outlined the department’s work to protect women and children, including its Domestic Violence Unit and officers trained to handle sensitive cases confidentially. He said victims often remain silent because of shame or fear, making outreach, workshops, and community education particularly important. On tourism and public safety, Lemus said police patrol beaches, nightlife areas, and busy sections of town. He encouraged residents and business owners to treat visitors respectfully, report suspicious activity, and follow the law. He also said police are working with businesses to incorporate technology, including QR code checks and surveillance cameras, to improve transparency and response.
Looking ahead, Lemus said the island’s safety will depend on continued communication, fairness, and public participation. He said police need honest feedback, while the community should report concerns constructively rather than rely on rumors or panic spread through social media. Lemus also reported a reduction in crime since assuming command, stating that San Pedro recorded a 78% decrease in July and a 20% reduction overall in the division.
For Lemus, the way forward is to continue building trust, mentoring young people, and strengthening cooperation between the police and the community to protect San Pedro and those who call the island home.