Traffic check points

[BettyJ]

Can someone please explain why the town would conduct these on Christmas eve and Christmas day?  They wave their friends by and harass the tourists (in my opinion) checking ID and license tags on rental cars.  (Again, IMO) These stops can be frightening to tourists and a reminder that they are in a foreign country and vulnerable.  WHY WHY WHY would they do this when tourists are finally showing up and having a good time? 

At first I thought they were perhaps trying to enforce more security to help with crime prevention, but criminals aren't usually driving golf carts are they?  And if they are, it's usually late at night after they have stolen it (which, BTW, happened to us on Friday night and it was found ditched in the lagoon). 

Does anyone have any sense around here? 

[bethieb]

Life on a tiny island where everyone in charge is related...  I see your point with regard to the tourists being hassled on their holiday.  That sux and is ridiculous. 

[pedro]

actually this is pretty much the only way they make overtime-stupid but true

[bethieb]

i won't begrudge them their opportunity to earn OT but could they not simply patrol either on foot or in a cart to be sure everyone is having a safe and happy outing instead of stopping people and checking IDs and stuff?  yes, they could.

[JZB]

The holidays is when you will find the most drunken idiots out endangering pedestrians, private proverty, themselves and their passengers.  The holidays is also when a lot of crime happens.  I remember living in Toronto, you knew the holidays were around because your chances of being pulled over by the police (RIDE program) were at least double or tripled.  Checkpoints are small inconvenience but do work.

[bethieb]

Check points for that purpose in the daytime are stupid and fruitless.  They could, like I said, patrol for DWIs and other criminal behavior, not stop all the people visiting for the holiday. 

[peterbj7]

There was one on New Year's Eve as well, in the evening.  I was with Pedro going through town and we came across a checkpoint.  They're actually pretty infrequent now and I don't object.  The traffic cops are (in my experience) always courteous and efficient, and how else are they going to pick up unlicensed and uninsured drivers?

[bethieb]

Fair enough.  But my response was to BettyJ who saw traffic wardens waiving friends and family through and stopping tourists, families in carts, and waylaying them.   Good luck!  A tourists impressions keep them coming back.  Belize is already one of the more expensive airfares out there...

[BettyJ]

If you believe that the traffic stops had anything to do with crime prevention or drinking (other than the guys seemed a little tipsy themselves, please explain:
1.  Why numerous locals are waved through
2.  These are conducted in the day time (verses evening)
3.  No attempt whatsoever to determine if we had been drinking or had stolen goods - they were just checking ID and tags 
4.  I would venture a guess that most of our local criminals are on foot or bike and taking the beach path (verses in front of the airport)

Maybe I am missing something, but why would you need a drivers license to drive a golf cart anyway?  BTW, I have one and our cart is fully licensed and tagged, so we have nothing to worry about.  I simply disagree that this is a way to greet our tourists in rental golf carts on Christmas and New Years.   

[Lilith]

I was with Pedro going through town and we came across a checkpoint.

Name dropping is the second "last refuge of a scoundrel". 

Did they give you a coupon for free small fries at McDonald's if you purchase any regular sandwich and a large soft drink?