http://www.statesman.com/news/statesman-investigates/crime-rates-along-texas-border-counties-1937646.htmland then there is this
The contemporary situation in southwest border counties relating to crime and law enforcement is quite different than many would expect. Consider, for example, that some of the nation’s safest cities are located along the southwest border, including Tucson and El Paso. Given the link of crime to important quality of life decisions, the low rate of crime in southwest border counties, combined with attributes, such as affordable housing is part of the landscape of increasing retirement in the southwest. Since 1990, official crime statistics have recorded a dramatic drop of 30 percent (Figure 13.1). Property crimes are down 40 percent between 1990 and 2000 and violent crimes, among the lowest in the nation making up only 12 percent of all crimes, dropped 29 percent in the same decade.1
Border counties have high rates of drug offenses, for which the region would rank 1st if considered a 51st state. Immigration offenses, which make up 72 percent of all federal offenses in the region, also would rank border counties 1st if considered a 51st state. These rankings also are tied closely with their respective border states which themselves rank as leaders in federal drug and immigration offenses. However, while drug and immigration enforcement issues are high profile, they mask other crime statistics, such as low property crimes and violent crimes. Indeed crime statistics have fallen in numerous locales, but where the border counties do report high rates of crimes, they are linked to its geography that serves as a
passage for illegal drugs northward to supply the demands of the rest of North America, and to immigration fueled by a search for better paying jobs and more opportunities.
• The border region has recorded a significant decline in crime in recent years, but like most areas this decline has flattened out and will be challenged by population growth.
• Border county crime rates place the region as 16th as a 51st state in violent crimes and the federal crime index.
• Border counties report the largest number of federal offenses creating a 1st ranking as a 51st state, primarily as a result of drug and immigration arrests by federal agencies.
• By not using drug offenses in determining federal formula bloc funding, southwest border counties face continued under funding of their efforts.
• The dependence of the federal government on southwest border counties to provide housing for prisoners has the intent of efficiency, but has become a significant drain on border counties due to a failure
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