The mugging of a child on his way to school in San Miguel del Padrón, Havana, on Monday morning, has sparked outrage and highlighted the growing issue of street safety in Cuba. The incident was reported by Nanette Ortiz, the boy's mother, on Facebook, where she warned about the increasing threat to Cuban children due to rising crime and inadequate security measures.
Ortiz recounted that her son left home at 11 a.m. heading to Alejandro Herrera Secondary School, located at 4th Street and Callejón de los Rizos in the La Corea neighborhood of San Miguel del Padrón. Shortly after, the child's teacher contacted her to report that he had been attacked near the school. "They stole his backpack and threw his books on the street," Ortiz lamented.
Fortunately, the child was not physically harmed, Ortiz confirmed, though her anguish and anger were palpable in her account of the event. "Where will this crime spree end? It happened to my child today, tomorrow it could be yours," she began, questioning the safety of children traveling to school. "Today it was his backpack, what will it be tomorrow?"
Ortiz expressed her frustration, asking, "How can someone shamelessly steal from children? There is no longer any safety in the streets for our kids," thus answering her own questions. Her post quickly gained support, with numerous individuals expressing solidarity and some even offering to replace the stolen backpack.
The comments section was filled with alarm and outrage over the rise in crime, the risks faced by children in neighborhoods where unscrupulous individuals might attack them for their belongings, and the apparent lack of effective action by authorities to curb the crime wave sweeping the nation.
Over the past year, there have been multiple reports of muggings targeting children and teens, aimed at stealing cell phones, backpacks, or other valuables. In November, residents in Santos Suárez apprehended a young man who had been mugging secondary school students at knifepoint, stealing their mobile phones.
Every day, Cubans take to social media to report muggings, thefts, murders, and other violent incidents that define the harsh reality of life in Cuba, a stark contrast to the sugarcoated image often portrayed by the government and state-run media.
Understanding Havana's Safety Concerns
What measures are being taken to improve safety in Havana?
Currently, there appears to be a lack of effective measures from authorities to address the growing safety concerns. Many residents express frustration over the insufficient response to rising crime rates.
How are residents responding to the increase in crime?
Residents are voicing their concerns on social media and some community members have taken action, such as apprehending criminals themselves, to protect their neighborhoods.
What are common targets for theft in Havana?
Common targets include cell phones, backpacks, and other valuable items that children and teenagers might carry.