New research is revealing a big drop in Tijuana's drug violence, leading some to question whether TJ is safe again.
In recent years Tijuana has made the list of the top 50 deadliest cities in the world. But this year, the Citizen Council for Public Safety and Criminal Justice says, the city did not make the cut.
The think tank compiles that list yearly. But this year the Mexican government released some significant statistics showing a more than 40 percent drop in the number of homicides in TJ.
That was for 2011 compared to the previous year. Authorities in TJ credit President Calderon's crackdown on drug cartels.
Even though the cartel is still prevalent across Mexico, in TJ authorities say, they are less about blood shed and more about business. The San Diego tunnel task force took this video of a major drug tunnel bust just last month.
It shows how cartels have become more sophisticated. Still, Lynne Walker with UCSD's Institute of the America's says civilians in TJ do not necessarily have to worry.
“I, in particular, take groups of journalist throughout the western hemisphere to Tijuana for day trips. I would not do that if I did not feel that it was a secure place for us to do so,” said Walker.
Besides security, Tijuana is now facing another issue. Around 450 deportees are being sent to TJ on a daily basis, with thousands ending up in shelters.
Meanwhile, the Mexican government is aiming to boost tourism to try and stimulate the economy.
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