Community and Society
San Pedro Police Mark Police Week with Community Outreach
San Pedro police officers observed Police Week from June 14th to 20th with a series of community and departmental activities that began with a church service and included a park cleanup, school outreach, public engagement events, and an awards ceremony. Assistant Superintendent Egbert Castillo said the week is being celebrated by police formations nationwide, while officers in San Pedro are focusing on community service and strengthening relationships with residents.
Community and Society
Hol Chan Retracts No Objection Letters; Stakeholders Continue to Call for Greater Transparency
On June 12th, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) announced it was retracting all previously issued Letters of No Objection (LNOs) for projects that have not yet commenced construction. Executive Chairman Ian Pou confirmed the decision and explained the reserve's position during an interview at the Hol Chan office on June 15th. Education and Outreach Officer Mariela Archer also discussed the reserve's procedures and the reasons behind the increased scrutiny of development proposals.
Community and Society
SPTC launches summer job training program for high school students
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) will launch its Youth on the Job Training Program on July 1, offering local students an opportunity to gain hands-on work experience during their summer break. The three-week initiative is open to San Pedro High School students with a valid school identification card and an original Social Security card. Applications are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with space available for up to 20 participants.
Community and Society
SPTC Calls for Removal of Illegal Signs from Streets and Beaches
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is launching a campaign to address visual pollution from the growing number of signs promoting businesses along roadways and in public spaces across town. As the island administration has stated in the past, all business operations must be conducted within the premises specified under their trade license regulations. The move has garnered support from many community members, although some argue that roadside signage remains one of the most effective ways to promote their services.
Community and Society
BEL Completes Island-Wide Maintenance and Grid Upgrades in San Pedro
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) carried out a planned power outage on Sunday, June 7th, from 7AM to 3PM, affecting the entire island of San Pedro as crews performed critical maintenance and system upgrades. The outage, announced in advance by BEL, involved the strategic deployment of teams and utility trucks across the island to complete work at the San Pedro Substation and along distribution lines.
Community and Society
Hol Chan to Host Free Guardians of the Reef Camp for Young Explorers
Hol Chan Marine Reserve will once again host its Guardians of the Reef Summer Camp, bringing free environmental education opportunities to children in San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker Village. The camp will run in San Pedro from June 29th to July 10th at the San Pedro Lions Den and in Caye Caulker from July 13 to 17 at the Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School. Open to children ages 5 to 13, the camp will take place daily from 8:30AM to 11:30AM.
Business & Economy
San Pedro Town Council hosts Job Fair
The San Pedro Town Council held a job fair on Saturday, June 6th, at Central Park as part of efforts to fill vacancies within the municipality. Council representatives conducted interviews with applicants for various positions.
Community and Society
$300K Emergency Relief Secured to Help Coastal Stakeholders Combat Sargassum
The Sargassum issue continues to affect Belize’s coastal communities. To better respond to this environmental phenomenon that impacts the tourism industry, a BZ$300,000 grant from the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future has been made available to assist coastal businesses dealing with the buildup of seaweed along their beaches. The grant will support private-sector stakeholders significantly affected by Sargassum influxes, including those in priority coastal destinations such as San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and the mainland communities of Hopkins, Seine Bight, and Placencia.