Phoenix is the kidnapping capital of the US

Even more shocking, Phoenix is only second in the world in kidnappings to Mexico City. True the number of kidnappings is most likely large because it is based on people and not instances, but the statistic is still quite alarming. People pay smugglers to sneak them across the Mexico border (people of all nationalities). These smugglers, Coyotes, often smuggle immigrants across the border, keep immigrants prisoners in drop houses, and then ransom their families for more money. Thus the kidnapping rate is so high in Phoenix.

The border itself has become a dangerous place. I posted warnings in 2008 from the government about crossing the border and now the violence has gotten worse. Over 1000 people have been brutally murdered in border towns, some severed heads have been found atop fence posts while one man was arrested in Mexico for disposing of countless victim's bodies in acid. Shootings happen in broad daylight and many people (especially when you are just a few hours from the border as we are) are terrified that the violence is going to spread even more.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/189246

The question, it seems, that Phoenicians seem MOST concerned with is : Is this violence going to effect my every day life? When the only dangers were towards those sneaking into the country illegally, many people turned a blind eye saying that the violence is part of making a choice to break the law. Now that innocent people are being mowed down with assult rifles in the streets of Mexican border towns many American's are starting to worry if the next spray of unconcerned bullets will be in their streets.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/27/2256881.htm
http://www.nogalesinternational.com/articles/2008/09/10/news/news3.txt
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-02-23-mexicoborder_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Recently the federal government has become concerned as well. With soldiers all over the world, one wonders what the US has planned for troubles in its own back yard.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/the-china-post/arthur-cyr/2009/03/06/198949/p2/Robert-Gates.htm

edited to add:
Here is an article from Al Jazeera posted 3/31 (although it is still 3/30 in Phoenix.) It presents a third party perspective on the violence.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/03/2009330192045168972.html