Mexican border city braces for troop patrols

[babylonsister]

Mexican border city braces for troop patrols
By MARINA MONTEMAYOR Associated Press Writer


Mar 6th, 2009 | CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico -- The mayor of the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez told residents Friday to prepare for a monthslong presence of army troops, but said the arrival of thousands of soldiers had already reduced killings by almost 90 percent.

The city government is issuing advice for citizens on how to get along with more than 5,000 soldiers who will be in Ciudad Juarez for months. Thousands of those troops arrived over the weekend, part of a promised government surge.

"The first thing you should do is to slow down, turn on your interior lights and roll down the windows," said Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz.

Reyes Ferriz said "we are working with the public to prepare them, so that they know who how to get through the army checkpoints rapidly and interfere with this law enforcement activity as little as possible." He said the government would get the message out through radio and TV ads.

While formal army patrols aren't set to begin until next week, Reyes Ferriz said the army's presence already has reduced killings.

more...

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/world/2009/03/06/D96OQHRO1_lt_mexico_violence/index.html

[jwirr]

1. My daughter and son-in-law are planning a trip to cancun (SP?) in two months

- should they reconsider?

[babylonsister]

2. My 2 cents? I would go. I recently returned from

an island off of Cancun and all was fine (except the weather; it was cold! for there); didn't see any soldiers either. I think the bigger problems are on borders. If they stay in the hotel zone, I think they should be fine.