Interesting you say that FITZ, I had a recent talk with a legal immigrant from Mexico who is a young Americanized female working at a restaurant.
She told me she used to feel safe taking trips back to visit relatives and that she doesn't feel that way now.
I told her about how last summer I took the bus across and back to Mexico in a day just to do it after the years since I was last down there.
I felt UNCOMFORTABLE down there.
The impression I got was it isn't safe down there at all anymore.
I think you are on to something in your post, I felt the same thing and the Mexican born woman I talked to felt and observed the same thing.
Too many people are reporting the same thing, your post is a good one.
It hasen't been safe down there for years. I've delt with people that have been brutalized down there. People that go down there for a romp, do so at a risk.