In Santiago de Cuba, locals apprehended a man who brazenly snatched a cellphone from a pedestrian in broad daylight. A video shared on Facebook by journalist Yosmany Mayeta depicts the thief being escorted by a man down the middle of the avenue towards the police station, surrounded by onlookers.
This incident took place in an area of the city known for its towering 18-story buildings and, as several commenters pointed out, its high crime rate. "That area of the 18 is the largest microenterprise of thieves," jested a Cubataxi employee. "They know it's their favorite spot, yet not even a single officer is stationed there to ensure pedestrian safety," a user lamented.
Another resident voiced her frustration: "Not a cop in sight, no security whatsoever, even in the heart of the city. Where are we headed? The citizens have to do jobs that aren't theirs, risking harm from these criminals, but if they don't, these crooks continue their rampage."
Many online commenters speculated that the thief might be detained only briefly and could be back on the streets the next day, continuing his criminal activities. As crime rates have surged in Cuba recently, it has become increasingly common for citizens to take matters into their own hands, capturing thieves caught red-handed or attempting to flee.
Earlier this month, also in Santiago de Cuba, a group of residents captured a thief on the street, tied his hands, and kept him restrained until the police arrived to make the formal arrest. This event occurred in the Petrocasas neighborhood and was documented by a witness who sent photos to Mayeta.
"According to the person who submitted the images, this isn't the first time this man has been caught by locals and handed over to the police, only to be released a few hours later," the journalist reported. Many identified him as an alcoholic with a long history of theft, fraud, and other offenses in his community.
In mid-December, residents from the 30 de Noviembre district managed to detain a man who attempted to rob an elderly gentleman before trying to escape. This incident took place in an area outside the city center known as Los Camilitos, where "the thief snatched the backpack of an older man with a cane, and some neighbors chased him down and tied him to a post," Mayeta recounted.
Crime and Community Vigilance in Santiago de Cuba
Why are residents in Santiago de Cuba taking action against thieves?
Due to rising crime rates and inadequate police presence, residents have felt compelled to address the issue themselves by apprehending thieves when caught in the act.
What challenges do locals face in dealing with crime?
Residents face the risk of confrontations with criminals and the frustration of seeing apprehended thieves quickly released, allowing them to continue their activities.
How do citizens respond to the lack of police presence?
In response to the insufficient police presence, citizens have organized themselves to protect their neighborhoods, often stepping in to detain criminals themselves.