MEXICO CITY MEXICO Like many big cities Mexico City has a problem with crime in its subways But it has found an unusual way to fight back not with more police or bigger prisons but with books The city is trying to make its underground stations big libraries Javier Gonzales Garza the head of the subway says when people read people change
The city has given free books to subway riders since 2004 and wants to give away millions more in the future The city hopes that readers will return the books when they finish but no one is checking The books contain very short stories so people can read them during a quick subway ride Passengers love the idea The books just fly out of our hands says one book volunteer
The city is also putting art in some subway stations Will books and art make the city safer and keep people out of prison Not everyone is sure Maybe we ll just get more educated criminals says one rider
