Killings appear to have slowed in the murder capital of North America
Daily death count declines | Troops credited with change
Ramon Bracamontes / El Paso Times
Posted: 03/17/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT

Army soldiers guard a police station in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Monday, March 16, 2009.

JUAREZ -- The killings appear to have slowed in the murder capital of North America.
ease in the daily violence had to be attributed to the increased military presence.

"The killings have slowed with some exceptions," he said.

The FBI staff in El Paso, which monitors crime in Juárez, also said the most significant change appeared to be soldiers enforcing the law.

"One would assume that has caused the drop in killings," Special Agent Andrea Simmons said.

Eighteen homicides have occurred in the past 12 days in the city of 1.7 million. At least a half-dozen of the killings were stabbings during fights not believed to be connected to the drug war, officials said.

By contrast, in the 12 days just before the military's presence grew, 85 homicides were committed, Juárez officials said. Fifteen of those killings occurred in one day. Over the weekend, police found nine bodies, seven men and two women, who apparently were killed and buried several
An Army soldier guards a police station in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Monday, March 16, 2009. As retired and active-duty soldiers largely took over security in the violence-wracked city of 1.3 million, a retired Army officer took over as head of police Monday, whose last law enforcement chief resigned after receiving threats.

Many of the homicides in February were executions and midday ambushes by commandos, who emptied their AK-47s into cars.

Rafael Navarro, who works in a department store in Juárez's central retail district near the Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral, said the drop in violence was easy to notice.

"Things appear to be getting better," said Navarro, who has lived in Juárez for 18 years. "There are more people out at the stores now. Just listen. This mercado is alive again."

The store where he works, VestiCentro, now is staying open until 8 p.m. It had been closing at 6 p.m.

Juárez and Chihuahua state officials estimate as many as 7,000 soldiers and 2,300 federal police officers are now patrolling
Army soldiers arrive to patrol Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Sunday, March 15, 2009. Ciudad Juarez, a city of 1.3 million people across the border from El Paso, Texas, has been hit by a wave of drug-fueled violence, prompting federal authorities to dispatch thousands of soldiers. (AP Photo)
the streets. Throughout the day, military vehicles that each carry five or six soldiers can be seen cruising neighborhoods. Machine guns are mounted on some of the vehicles.

Also apparent are an increased number of federal police officers. Their new blue uniforms make them easily identifiable. A squad of about 20 federal officers in riot gear is stationed at the foot of the Paso del Norte Bridge.

Just about every Mexican official, from President Felipe Calderón to Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora to Juárez Mayor José Reyes Ferriz, has said that violence seems to be dissipating in Juárez and throughout Mexico. In 2008, 6,290 killings in the nation were attributed to the drug war.

Still, Juárez remains a concern, Medina said. The city was a powder keg last month, and the relative peace may be fragile. He said Juárez is one of the larger Mexican cities where violence is prevalent.

Thursday, to show that tranquility had returned to Juárez, Reyes Ferriz met with various local, state and national officials. Among those at the session were Mexico's national security adviser, Enrique Tallo Peon, and Chihuahua Gov. José Reyes Baeza.

Baeza would only say that the increased patrols and military presence in Juárez will continue for as long as necessary. Under the plan, Joint Operation Chihuahua soldiers and federal officers have stepped in to help run the city's police department and its prison.

The next step, officials at the meeting said, is for the business community and neighborhood organizations to help.

"As citizens and business people, we are pleased about this cooperation because this problem cannot be solved solely by the police or by us," said Carlos Murguia, director of economic development in Juárez. "We have to work together."

Juárez resident Ismael Alvidrez Mejia, who works to improve housing and health care for elderly people, said the citizenry is ready to help the government. He cautioned that, although the city appears to be safer and the violence may be ending, it is too early to tell. Last week, somebody shot and killed a lawyer as he drove his Mercedes through a busy intersection, showing the violence remains close to the surface.

"One killing is too many," Alvidrez Mejia said. "As residents we must remain calm and confident. If we lose our calmness and confidence, we will fall into the chaos that is around, and chaos will get us nowhere."

Ramon Bracamontes may be reached at rbracamontes@elpasotimes.com; 546-6142.

Remember folks, getting high is a victimless crime.

I got five bucks that says this is in response to decreased tourist travel into Mexico, not because the Gov. cares about this. If you listen to eyewitness reports the Gov is actively involved either in the murders, in covering them up, or protecting the criminals.

i'm about to go to work...i'll respond later