Since this thread has also brought up "resort security" and in general, the presence of armed guards...
You will see men with guns in bad uniforms wherever you go in Central America. The cause of this sight is from several factors. Law Enforcement in terms of "patrol" is generally non-existnt. Hourly wages, certainly for the aforementioned guy in the bad uniform, are very inexpensive. In a way, this fuels the labor environment as it employs a lot of men.
You will see the omnipresent "shotgun in the lap, guy sitting in the chair" in front of every bank, gas station, and grocery store. Even while the place is closed for the night. At the least, it is viewed as cheap insurance.
Most larger resorts do employ some guys with shotguns, if they have some money, they get them a handgun. Rifles are not that common, but not so long ago I myself funded the purchase of a real-deal AK47 (no magazines but a case of ammo) for $85. (think about that figure) It got it off the street and into responsible hands. A few years back, for a bucket-full of UN Dollars, the Republic of Honduras illegally abrogated their version of the 2nd Amendment. That seems to have worked well so far. Ordinary citizens can no longer obtain permits for carry. This has led to a much safer country. Right.
Certain resorts invite "locals" to their properties, the previously mentioned FI is one of them, along with TBR and some others that have a draw for locals in terms of slightly upscale bar access. Yes, the guards theoretically control the inflow of who arrives, but it is fraught with problems.
In terms of training quality and physical access control exacerbated by geography, ipso facto:
...First thing I noticed at Fantasy Island Resort was their guardshack; with two guards ...with revolvers...and the guard was intent on looking at the driver and his ID, even though he was in a FI van; and probably saw him a few times a day
Res ipsa loquitur.
The largest area of concern in the arena of "access control" is the physical limitations of that access. As was noted, CCV is on it's own private cay, the place is patrolled from all sides facing the water. CCV is subtly lighted- unless you are approaching it- then it looks like Stalag 17. (more stuff CCV guests can not even see from the land) It's a relatively simple natural barrier. Some other resorts are actually "streets" that non-guests must use to access their own housing. AKR is a prime example. AKR's guards are well trained and professional, but the expanse and porosity of their perimeter creates concerns. I wouldn't lose any sleep while staying at AKR, do not misunderstand.
Some smaller resorts are essentially houses within a neighborhood. They might have a night watchman, maybe a doggy. Usually, security during the day consists of house staff who happen to be around.
The biggest consideration is one that is invisible to us visitors, the most we can see is "guys with shotguns in bad uniforms". There are two levels of security services on Roatan, they are roughly divided into two categories: professionally trained and well paid staff, and the other is "guys in bad uniforms with shotguns". The aforementioned guy that created and trained the CCV guards is the "go to" guy for commercial security on island, including doing some "dignitary protection" (which in this case means watching over wealthy families who vacation on the island, private estates or whatever). There is a distinct difference in quality of product provided.
So in answer to the OP, directly concerning CCV, you have the unique isolated physical islet geography making it very easy for a well trained group of professionals to do the best job possible~ and no one is allowed to "show up" except guests (or lost divers from FI). They do have
real-deal trained dogs, radios, all the stuff. At CCV, I arrive and toss my wallet on the dresser. Been doing so since 1985. They have silly little electronic safes and lock boxes, if you must.
Someday, there will likely be a real tourist somewhere on the island who gets attacked... one that was just being a tourist and not engaging in dubious activity. Someday, it will happen. Maybe it already has, maybe so. What I do know for a fact is that the bad guys know very well to leave the tourists alone. The "Tourist Police" that I mentioned are not there to bother you- they are patrolling in tourist areas (West End, etc) and they know who does and who does not belong. There have been a couple of occasions where thugs that didn't learn the lesson or see the obvious consequences, so they went somewhere on vacation. It's a big Ocean out there, as a wise Honduran Sheepdog once told me.
Over many years, I have had in-depth relationships with local and national law enforcement in Honduras. They know where the money spigot is located, they feel heavy pressure to protect that cash flow of tourist dollars. The situation on the mainland is a whole different can of worms.
The Bay Islands are safe, as is anywhere on this planet, for those individuals who
should venture out of their yards from back home.
