BEYOND THE NUMBERS: Spain has made headlines in recent weeks as the nation’s borrowing costs hit dangerous levels. On the ground, Spain’s financial distress is playing out at the most basic levels. Farmers are reporting that their crops and equipment are being stolen with so many people just trying to get by.

ANTI-THEFT: In villages near farming areas, several thousand paramilitary Civil Guards, regional and local police are even setting up checkpoints to find stolen fruit or farming equipment, like copper wire used in irrigation systems. The Civil Guard says sometimes its officers mount “cage operations” — sealing off whole villages to check cars and trucks. Much of the produce finds its way to street markets, while metal goes to scrap dealers.