The epidemic of drug-cartel fueled violence in Northern Mexico has jumped from last year's terrific coverage by the LA Times and into a national news story. Much of that national attention is related to increasing fears that the violence is spilling over into U.S. cities, and with over 6,000 murders in Mexican border cities last year, that fear is understandable.
Understandable, but misplaced say the mayors of U.S. border communities. "The perception is the border is dangerous. The reality is that it is not," El Paso Mayor John Cook told NPR last week in a must listen to story. Though the neighboring Mexican City of Juarez is besieged with murderous violence, El Paso saw a relatively low 18 murders last year -- none of them linked to cartel violence.
Listen to or read the story. Wondering if your city has a cartel presence? Check out this map.
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