Number Of Juarez Homicides So Far In 2009 Surpasses 2008 Total

JUAREZ — The total number of homicides so far this year in Juarez reached 1,633 on Monday, surpassing the total of 1,607 for all of 2008, according to Channel 44, ABC-7’s news partners in Juarez.

A total of 145 people have been killed so far in September, including eight on Monday. In August, Channel 44 recorded 337 homicides.

The Associated Press reports that 1,200 Mexican army soldiers are being withdrawn from Juarez. The Juarez police force now has about 3,025 police officers, according to the Associated Press.

This includes 635 new municipal police officers that graduated from the academy on Tuesday.