Minister Points to Outside Influence for Bella Vista Crime

Minister of Economic Development Osmond Martinez says the recent rise in crime in Bella Vista Village may be tied to external influences coming into the village, particularly through its Central American roots.

“The Bella Vista situation is very sad,” Minister Martinez said, noting that the village is one of Belize’s newest and second-largest and has long been known for its calm. “You hardly hear any negative outcomes from Bella Vista,” he said.

Martinez acknowledged that the number of crimes remains small but concerning. “Even though it’s only about two or three of them, it’s not normal. In a year, two or three of them is not normal,” he explained.

He added, “We believe that there is an inflow of negative knowledge that is being transferred, especially from other Central American countries.” According to him, many residents in the village are descendants of migrants from the region.

Authorities are also alarmed by suggestions of links between Bella Vista and nearby Independence Village.

Martinez said the government anticipated challenges and has already begun planning for stronger security measures. “We started to think about the design and building of a new full-fledged police station rather than just a substation,” he said.

He credited past and current leadership for pushing reforms, noting that arrests have already been made and more technology will be introduced. “We will need to add more technology into areas of Bella Vista. Social surveillance cameras, maybe an increase of streetlights,” Martinez said.

Beyond policing, Martinez stressed the importance of parental guidance and community culture. “Parents play a critical role… that culture we had in Bella Vista, where one family would look out for another one, all families built a healthy community,” he said.