The Beating

 
Just a few minutes ago I witnessed something that I thought I would never see. It has been over two weeks since I wrote about anything.  Late model trucks and SUV's next to our house piled into a dirt field.  You could hear the diesel engines running.  One right after another.  I had been enjoying a calm, pleasant night with friends and family on our front porch until "Los Feos," the ugly ones, arrived.

About ten to fifteen of them grouped together around another person of interest.  He was wearing flannel-striped shorts and a dark t-shirt.  He tried to resist, but the power of the others overwhelmed him.  Los Feos pulled a large 2X4. Five hits, maybe more, right on his backside.  They had bent him over and pulled his shorts down.   Flashlights illuminated the scene. They told him that if he screamed or cried that it would get worse.  We all had been watching silently and then I told everyone to get inside.  I was afraid that if they saw us, we might be next.  Once we were all inside, I watched the rest of the incident, peeking from behind the curtains of my room.  A truck went by and they all shut their flashlights.  The truck passed and they continued the beating.  Just as quickly as they arrived, they left.  They forced the individual back into one of the trucks and took him to a more remote place West of here. I wonder what the person did to realize his beating.

I have heard stories describing beatings like the one I just witnessed.  These beatings serve as a way to keep common citizens unrelated to the drug trade in check and also serve to keep those involved in the drug trade from disobeying orders.  I am reminded of my old first grade teacher.  He used to spank his students with his bare hand as a form of punishment.  In this small town, narcos police the streets.  Individuals have gotten beaten for intentional reckless driving like making your wheels squeal and driving significantly above the speed limit, disobeying traffic signals, and other misdemeanors like fighting in the streets.

One thing I'm adding to the "Keep Me Safe" checklist is avoiding the streets at night.