I don't know where Thook gets his population numbers but the last census for Roatan showed 65,000 people & there are an estimated additional 20,000 people living on the island that were not included as they are scattered throughout the island in undeveloped areas. While it is true that there are occasionally pick up trucks seen with armed National Police and Military Police this is a recent development due to the newly elected President of Honduras pledge to improve security & law enforcement throughout Honduras, the Bay Islands included.
In the past there has been a problem with petty criminals hiding out in the jungles of the undeveloped east end of Roatan. This is far from the tourist areas, however their presence is not welcomed in the Bay Islands anywhere. To that end, the government has built & staffed a new police station in Oakridge with 20 officers providing 24 hour per day patrols, increased the police staffing in Coxen Hole and West End, and is building a navy base in Oakridge to provide police & navy patrols of the waters of the east end. That base is already staffed with navy marines running 2 high speed patrol boats 24 hours per day, and it coordinates with the new navy base built in Guanaja a couple of years ago. The reason you are now seeing the trucks with officers is movement between these various facilities.
I for one welcome this increased commitment to safety & security on Roatan, both for tourists and residents. I fail to see how this can be perceived as a negative development. By the way, can someone tell me what "Just sayin...." means?
