Posted on 06/11/2005 2:18:39 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
LAREDO - Mary Martinez watched like a mother hen Friday as her toddler-aged granddaughters ran on a playground that overlooks the Rio Grande.
When a van passed slowly nearby, she moved closer to the children. They rested under a shade tree as the midday sun beat down. There's no way they or her two daughters are venturing out come nightfall, she said.
"The violence is getting worse every day," she said. "We didn't hear about shootings before. Now it's almost every day."
Laredo residents are wary after the recent murder of Alejandro Dominguez, the Nuevo Laredo police chief who had taken the job just hours before suspected drug gangs gunned him down Wednesday. The killing of Dominguez, who lived in the U.S. and owned businesses on both sides of the border, was the latest of more than 60 murders this year in Nuevo Laredo.
The murder total in Laredo has grown this year to 13, and two are under investigation for their possible connection to the gang-related violence across the border. There were 15 murders in Laredo last year and 29 in 2003, according to police.
Laredo law enforcement and business officials said they are concerned about the increased violence, but not any more than they have been for years.
This leading import and export headquarters hasn't lost a step in its regular rate of trade, said John Adams, executive director of the Laredo Development Foundation, citing increased sales tax revenue and the 30,000 people passing into Laredo each day, along with 9,300 trucks.
"Basically, we have seen no change," Adams said. "It's not like people are avoiding us. I mean, the most dangerous place I go in the world is Washington, D.C."
Some Laredo business owners disagree, citing fewer out-of-town customers. Patricia Vialobos, who owns Fiesta Mexicana Imports near Laredo's historic downtown district, said the violence on both sides of the border is the reason her cash sales last week totaled only $148 compared to an average of $5,000 a week before this recent crime spate.
She used to cross the border nearly every day, but her last trip was three months ago, she said. Other artisan stores on her street near downtown have started to close temporarily due to lackluster sales.
"Never before have I seen so many deaths," she said, shaking her head. Laredo "could become like Nuevo Laredo. I think the border is becoming the most dangerous spot in the entire United States."
Police Chief Agustin Dovalina said he meets with law enforcement agency leaders monthly to strategize and share resources along the border. He said they all feel for their fellow police officers in Laredo who battle the bands of drug dealers. But they're limited in offering substantive help.
"We are one big extended family," he said. "We're hoping that it'll end."
Dovalina said he has increased police visibility, including dispatching 27 officers normally stationed at schools into the community. While concerned, Dovalina said Laredo has had other eras of high crime targeted by the department.
While two of Laredo's homicides are under investigation for their possible connection to the gang-related violence, Dovalina echoed other city leaders who said Nuevo Laredo is the city with the high rates of crime.
"Based on the numbers, Laredo is a very safe place to visit and live," Dovalina said.
The question is, "Why doesn't the President of the United States give a damn?"
Laredo Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
Now that's a high murder rate.
Now, why does he think that? (Of course, we all know the answer)
ping
"Why doesn't the President of the United States give a damn?"
Who do you think chops the wood for the Crawford photo ops?
Very unappealing.
Who do you think chops the wood for the Crawford photo ops?
Tell your friends to run for office as an Independent. Get all of them to register as Independents.
Is Lloyd Doggett the rep for Laredo?
"30,000 people passing into Laredo each day, along with 9,300 trucks."
Probably 100 of the trucks are packed with drugs, thanks to the corruption on both sides of the border.
When I was little, I lived in a very small town. My mother used to point out the few transients drifting through town, and tell me to beware. P>Laredo doesn't sound like any place I'd want to raise kids.
Laredo is represented on the north and west by Henry Bonilla and on the southeast by Henry Cuellar. If Bonilla runs for the Senate, two popular Laredo Democrats are contemplating running for the House: Mayor Betty Flores and State Senator Zaffirini. One would run but not both.
McAllen is represented by the popular Lloyd Doggett.
Doggett's District 25 runs in a long strip from SW Hidalgo Co.(Mcallen) all the way up to SE Travis Co. (Austin).
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