In broad daylight, a man attempted to force open the door of an apartment in the Bahía district, located in eastern Havana, with the apparent intent to commit robbery. However, the quick thinking of the apartment's residents thwarted his plans, forcing him to flee the scene.
Captured on the apartment's surveillance camera, the incident seemed like a scene straight out of a crime drama, but it was a real event that occurred just days ago in one of the 12-story buildings within the Bahía neighborhood, situated in the municipality of Habana del Este.
The footage shows the individual ascending the stairs and stealthily approaching the apartment, carefully surveying the entire floor. He rings the doorbell and retreats to the bottom of the stairs, waiting momentarily to see if anyone answers. When no one comes to the door, he returns with what appear to be master keys, glances at the camera, and attempts to unlock the door.
At that critical moment, a woman's voice booms from inside, "Police unit? Yes...?" This prompts an immediate reaction from the thief, who dashes away, nearly flying down the stairs in his haste to escape.
In the social media post where the video was shared, residents of the Bahía area disclosed that their building has been a frequent target for criminals, who regularly break in to steal. Many expressed their concerns over the increasing crime and insecurity in both their neighborhood and the country at large. They criticized the police for their ineffective efforts to prevent crimes or apprehend offenders.
Facing the authorities' lack of action, many locals believe that they must take matters into their own hands to deter criminals and safeguard their possessions. The rise in crime, violence, and insecurity in Cuba is unsettling to the public, while the government maintains that criminal activities have decreased, though citizens have yet to feel this alleged improvement.
In response to the crime wave, residents across various neighborhoods have installed surveillance cameras in their homes and businesses to monitor and document any suspicious activities.
Last week, the regime launched a new campaign against crime, corruption, illegal activities, and social indiscipline. During this campaign, over 3,300 arrests were made, exemplary trials were conducted in courts across all provinces, and judicial processes were expedited in severe corruption cases. These actions were part of a government effort to clamp down on crime, heavily publicized through its official communication channels.
Understanding Crime Dynamics in Havana
What prompted the thief to flee the scene?
The thief fled when he heard a woman's voice from inside the apartment, pretending to speak to a police unit, which startled him and caused him to escape quickly.
How have residents responded to the crime wave in their neighborhood?
Residents have installed surveillance cameras to monitor suspicious activities and have expressed the need to take personal action to protect their properties due to the perceived inaction of authorities.
What measures has the Cuban government recently implemented to combat crime?
The government launched a campaign resulting in over 3,300 arrests, conducted exemplary trials, and accelerated judicial processes in cases of severe corruption, which were widely publicized to demonstrate their crackdown on crime.