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Causes of Crime in
Belize

HILDA BUTZ, HAYLEY PINEDA, SILVIA FLORES, REINA CHOC

BCOM 2014
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Objectives

 Promote understanding of public attitudes for which they are the

foundation.
 Mobilize and sustain crime preventions on initiatives.
 Enhance understanding of the real contributing factors of crime.
 Communicate information which assist investigators to progress their
enquiries.
 Encompass public contributions to diversify criminal justice systems with
an eye to creating more legitimate criminal justice systems.
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Purpose of Communication Strategy

 Communicating for Awareness.

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Crime in Belize

 The crime rate over the past few years as stated by Sander’s (2003) has been
seen as an “Overwhelming phenomenon beyond the capacity of the
individual national police force” (p.377).
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Causes of Crime in Belize

Urban Poverty High Unemployment Rate

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Causes of Crime in Belize Contn'd
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Methodology

The outline for the methodology is as follows:

 Data collection,
 Data analysis
 Questionnaire/ survey instruments.
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Data Collection

 For the purpose of this research, the collection of the data involved the utilization
of a structured questionnaire that had a total of 10 questions.
 A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed.
 The aim of the questionnaire is to recognize the participant’s opinions
concerning the research topic.
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Data Analysis

 The questionnaire allowed us to use descriptive statistics.

 In using Excel, we were able to formulate graphs and charts to properly display our
findings.
 We also identified whether or not Belizeans are aware of the causes of crime in our
country.
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Figure 1

 Figure 1shows the percentage of who is most likely to commit crime

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Figure 2

 Figure 2 shows the average of individuals who feel safe in their community
or surroundings.
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Figure 3

 Figure 3 shows the percentage of how satisfied individuals are with the
way the criminal justice systems handles crime.
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Figure 4

 Figure 4 shows the percentage of the main cause of crime in Belize.

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Figure 5

 Figure 5 shows the type of crimes young people are mostly involved in.
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References

 Hanson, R., Warchol, G., & Zupan, L. (2004). Policing Paradise: Law and Disorder
in Belize. Police Practice & Research, 5(3), 241–257.
https://doi.org/10.1080/156142604200227585
 Whittaker-Augustine, E. (2013, October 11). The Psychological Impact of Crime
and Violence. Retrieved from Amandala.com.bz:
https://amandala.com.bz/news/psychological-impact-crime-violence/
 Kairi Consultants Ltd. (n.d.). Retrieved from REPORT #495 Poverty Assessment
Report June 2002: https://ambergriscaye.com/BzLibrary/trust495.html
 Trading Economics. (n.d.). Retrieved from Belize Unemployment Rate:
https://tradingeconomics.com/belize/unemployment-rate
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