The rising cost of crime

Mexico is a very scary place to be! We need to do all we can to stabilize this country so that the people can go home. Just think of how many less Mexicans will still be up here if they have someplace to go home to.

The rising cost of crime | Economist.com: "Mexico’s security crisis is weighing heavily on the government of President Felipe Calderón, as the incidence of crime and violent deaths continues to rise, and Mexicans nationwide have begun to protest for more effective government action. The authorities are also acknowledging that beyond the social impact, insecurity and violence carry a heavy economic cost. Politically, too, the crime wave is damaging: it is translating into lower approval ratings for the president, and could cost the governing party dearly in 2009 mid-term elections.

Besides common street crime, the number of kidnappings in the country has grown rapidly, jumping by almost 40% between 2005 and 2007, according to official statistics. And this does not reflect the many abductions that are believed to go unreported. Particular attention recently was focused on the problem with the June kidnapping of Fernando Martí, the 14-year-old son of a prominent businessman, and the discovery of his body in the truck of a car on August 1st. This triggered an outpouring of outrage and a massive march on August 30th in Mexico City, the capital, and 54 cities around the country. Civil society is increasingly demanding an end to impunity and more effectiveness on the part of the authorities in confronting the security situation.

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