El monumento de Benito Juarez (photo by Jasmin Paz).
Although the murder rate in Ciudad Juarez has significantly dropped, this accomplishment is hardly portrayed in the media coverage, giving the impression that Juarez, even though it’s still dangerous, is not making any progress.
According to a May 2011 article in borderlandbeat.com, crime rates have fallen by as much as 60 percent. Furthermore, homicides have dropped from 11 a day to four a day.
Small businesses in Juarez have experienced tough times since tourism has vastly dropped. In fact, there has been a major decrease in travel in Juarez. Frank Ortez, a commander for the El Paso Sheriff’s Department believes the drop in the violence in El Paso’s sister city positively affects the people who live in the Borderland.
“If the violence decreases in Juarez, it is a good outcome for El Paso,” Ortez said “If the bloodshed continues to decrease, more people in El Paso will be willing to cross again to Juarez, and increase trade and business in Juarez.”
Although the city experienced more than 6,000 deaths from 2009-2010, the city has increased its safety measures. Some citizens who stayed describe the city as “The old Juarez.” If visitors take time to visit the city, they will see how much protection there is. Soldiers near international bridges stand post and are ready to protect the civilians.
“The murder rate in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, has reached the 1,000 mark [which is] a welcome statistic that is actually a dip compared to the 1,200 homicides at the same point last year,” said a Chihuahua State police spokesman to Fox News Latino. “Through most of June [2011], 94 murders had been reported, a drop from the 313 total murders in June 2010.”
The police are on call 24/7 ready to take action. The police protect the city by roaming in trucks armed and ready in case anything happens. Some citizens have attempted to return to a sense of normalcy.
“If you’re not involved in any of that, then there is nothing to fear,” one citizen of Ciudad Juarez said. “The malls and shopping centers are still on and running and are full of people Monday through Sunday.”
Of course, there are affected areas where the drug war after effect can be seen. A lot of clubs and stores were closed and left abandoned due to threats. However, some of them are expecting to reopen.
Plenty of business owners moved their businesses to El Paso once they did not see and end in sight. However, it has been rumored by some of the local people in Juarez that they desire to come back to the city were they started. This would really benefit the city a lot more, especially since safety measures have improved.
Other progress has been made to attract tourists and strengthen the economy. New streets and stores are being developed. A modern new side of town, “Pradera Dorada,” or, “Zona Dorada,” has become the new tourist center for the city. With its modern constructions, private hospitals, hotels, stores, restaurants, movies and recreation centers, the new area is considered a success and a hope of things to come. Plenty of new streets are helpful to travel around this recently expanded area.
“I hadn’t been in Ciudad Juarez in a couple of years,” Elisa Lopez, an El Paso resident, said. “But the city has expanded a lot.”
Although one wonders if the homicide rates will ever drop to a respectable level — if such a level exists — one can see how the whole city is making tons of progress. The older residents of the city really hope that one day they can see Juarez just as it used to be.
Also, maybe one day, the city’s name will be clear of its negative label as the “Murder Town” and tourism can increase.
The hope is for the whole world to see the city not as it is today but as a great place to visit.
