Community and Society
San Pedro Youth Participate in Empowerment Session
A Youth Empowerment Session was held on Thursday, April 9th, from 9AM to 12PM at San Pedro High School. The event brought together young people for interactive discussions on development topics as part of the “Leave No One Behind: Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy” project. The initiative is supported by Irish Aid, Luxembourg Aid & Development, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Belize Family Life Association (BFLA), the Department of Youth Services (DYS), the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Key representatives included Jewel Crawford and Kris Miller from UNFPA, Bryan Paul from BFLA, and Kyle Miller from DYS.
Community and Society
Lotus Program Highlights Mental Health as Belize Marks World Health Day
The Belize Police Department, including the San Pedro division, has established procedures to help officers manage the stress from graphic and violent crimes. At the core of these efforts is the Lotus Program, a peer-support mental health initiative aimed at addressing trauma caused by daily exposure to incidents like homicides, assaults, and other violent offenses.
Community and Society
San Pedro Launches Sargassum-to-Sand Initiative for Beach Nourishment
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has set up several composting sites to handle the ongoing influx of sargassum. The initiative allows the seaweed to dry for about 60 days, after which it can be turned into usable material for beach nourishment projects. This method addresses immediate cleanup needs while supporting long-term coastal restoration, especially as sargassum arrives earlier than expected. SPTC representatives explained the process during an interview on April 8th, mentioning that sites have been established in areas such as Boca del Rio, Central Park, San Pedro High School, near the church, the library, and the cemetery.
Community and Society
Hol Chan to Be Part of First-Ever Beyond Blue Dive Summit
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve in San Pedro is set to participate in the first-ever Beyond Blue Dive Summit, scheduled for April 23rd and 24th at Grand Caribe. This inaugural event for Belize will feature dives at Hol Chan and Turneffe Atoll, along with evening mixers focused on marine conservation and the reserve's history.
Community and Society
Enhanced Airport Security Continues One Year After Hijacking Incident
Traveling by air through Belize’s municipal aerodromes, including the John Greif II Municipal Airport in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, was forever changed following...
Community and Society
No New Dock Permits for One Year Under Government Moratorium
The Government of Belize has declared a one-year pause on issuing new permits for building docks, piers, and overwater structures in coastal and marine areas nationwide. The decision, confirmed during the Cabinet meeting on March 31st, aims to give authorities time to review and enhance regulations related to coastal development.
Community and Society
SPTC to Enforce Rules on Golf Cart Rentals Using Public Streets
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), through its Traffic Department, implemented stricter enforcement measures on March 31st targeting golf cart rental companies operating on public streets, sidewalks, and parking areas. This is not a new issue, but one that has been repeatedly raised across San Pedro Town for several years. The enforcement focuses on ongoing violations, especially at key entry points like the airport and water taxi terminals, where rental operators have long been reported for crowding arriving visitors and taking over public spaces.
Community and Society
San Pedro Sees Calm Easter Weekend
The Easter weekend in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, from Friday, April 3rd to Monday, April 6th, saw locals and tourists celebrating the much-anticipated holiday period with a mix of religious observances and beachside activities. Despite the ongoing sargassum influx affecting sections of the coastline, holiday-goers were still able to enjoy various parts of the island. Activities were spread across the eastern beaches, while many residents and visitors gravitated toward the increasingly popular Secret Beach area on the northwestern coast.