A surging crime rate and safety concerns at U.S.-Mexico border is one of the most often bantered about reasons for Arizona’s new immigration law and the $600 million Southwest Border bill. Arizona Senator John McCain views the porous border as the source leading “to violence-the worst I have ever seen.” Governor Jan Brewer goes on to say “Arizona is now confronted by some of the most vicious and dangerous narco-terror organizations the world has seen.”
Reports, however, are showing the U.S. border as safe and getting safer with no increase in violence on the U.S. side of the border. A recent FBI report shows border cities, Austin, El Paso, Phoenix and San Diego as having some of the lowest crime rates. Not surprising other government reports show urban police officers more at risk of death than a Border Patrol agent. Whereas , a recent poll of 1,200 adults living along the border, found that a majority, 87%, felt safe living there.
We do know that myths can sway elections and create notoriety for those seeking it at the expense of the truth.
