In a shocking incident that has left authorities scrambling to respond, residents of the Miguel Hidalgo neighborhood in Campeche took matters into their own hands and captured a suspected thief, subjecting him to a brutal beating while they waited for security officers to arrive.
According to eyewitnesses, the man was caught stealing a cell phone on April 28 and was subsequently surrounded by a group of angry residents. In a disturbing video that has been circulating on social media, the accused thief is seen being beaten with a belt as he repeatedly begs for them to stop.
The incident has sparked outrage and debate about the state of security in Campeche, a city plagued by high rates of crime and vigilantism. Residents have long complained about the lack of effective policing in their neighborhoods, and it appears that some are now taking the law into their own hands.
“It’s not just this one incident,” said a local resident who wished to remain anonymous. “We’ve had multiple robberies reported in our area over the past few days, and it seems like the authorities are not doing enough to protect us.”
The resident added that while they understand the frustration of feeling threatened and vulnerable, taking matters into their own hands is not an acceptable solution.
“We want security to do its job,” said another local resident. “We’re tired of living in fear and taking risks to protect ourselves.”
According to a recent report by INEGI (National Institute of Statistics and Census), the perception of insecurity in Campeche has been on the rise, with 60% of residents now believing that the city is unsafe.
The figures are alarming, with an increase from 48.8% in December 2024 to 60% in March 2025. Ciudad del Carmen, a neighboring town, also saw an upward trend, rising from 48.9% to 50.1% over the same period.
While national averages for perceptions of insecurity remain high at 61.9%, Campeche’s figures are slightly lower. However, the city’s residents are clear: they want action, and they want it now.
A City in Crisis
The incident has left many questioning whether Campeche is on the verge of a full-blown crisis. With vigilantism on the rise and authorities struggling to keep up with crime rates, it’s clear that something needs to be done.
“It’s time for the authorities to take action,” said a local community leader. “We need more police presence in our neighborhoods, we need better surveillance, and we need support for victims of crime.”
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain: Campeche residents are no longer willing to wait for the authorities to act.
Security Concerns
* 60% of residents in Campeche now believe that the city is unsafe.
* Perceptions of insecurity have risen from 48.8% in December 2024 to 60% in March 2025.
* Ciudad del Carmen also saw an upward trend, rising from 48.9% to 50.1% over the same period.
* National averages for perceptions of insecurity remain high at 61.9%.
* Campeche’s figures are slightly lower than the national average.
The question on everyone’s mind is: what next? Will authorities finally take action to address the growing security concerns in Campeche, or will vigilantism continue to rise as a desperate measure to protect their communities? Only time will tell.
Source: Excelsior
