MEXICO: Police Using Twitter To Kill Rumors; Crime Costs GDP 8.9%.

LAHT

     Governmental agencies are increasingly using Twitter to dispel rumors and give info about violent incidents.
    “It’s not about warning of shootouts...but to provide accurate information at the time of the incidents, with the goal of giving certainty and calming the citizenry,”
said a Durango spokesman.
   “The worst communications policy” one can have is “that of silence,” said professor Mario Campos and sites like Twitter let officials reach “citizens directly” and instantly with important messages.

AND:  A new study claims that in 2009 crime cost Mexicans nearly $85.38 billion or about 8.9% of GDP.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=14091&ArticleId=389465