Do you think NM having it’s southern border with Mexico has anything to do with the crime problem?
I'm sure that contributes to it, but in some places there is a pretty significant drug problem. I've heard Espanola called the "Black Tar Heroin Capitol of the US." I've also had more than one Spanish/Hispanic local in Santa Fe tell me that they're "sick of the damn Mexicans making all of us look bad." Seems to be quite a bit of animosity between the old-time Spanish New Mexican's and the relative newcomers from Mexico.... at least in the northern part of the state. Not sure if it's the same down south.
