Mexican Town "Cracks" Down On Crime

Residents of a Mexican Pacific coast city wishing to "buff up" on their crime-fighting prowess have found an unusual way to combat the country's escalating crime.

Twice this week, locals in the resort town of Puerto Vallarta have taken matters into their own hands when it comes to "cracking down" on thieves.

In multiple incidents, authorities have been called to free naked, beaten men tied to lampposts in six different areas of the city.   Local media outlets reported that a total of 10 men were tied naked to posts.

One of the men in questioned had the letter "R'' marked on his head, which could refer to a 'rat'-- Spanish for 'thief' but also 'snitch'.  Another man tied to a lamppost had the word 'rata' [rat] inscribed into his head. 

Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco, which is the home of the Jalisco drug cartel.