Street artists brighten lives in a rough Mexican town

Americas Now

Las Palmitas in Pachuca, Mexico.

A run-down and dangerous neighborhood in Mexico has transformed its image and its crime rate by altering its appearance. When artists in the Mexican city of Las Palmitas in Pachuca began to paint all the houses in the hillside town bright, vibrant colors, they saw it lift the spirits of the residents too.

Criminal activity decreased as well. Now, people are on the street socializing in a place where most people never left their homes after dark.

The street artists who gave Las Palmitas the facelift are called The German Crew. Included among them are some former gang members. It took them 20,000 liters of pain (5,000 gallons) to complete the project.

Check out some images of this mountainside mural which some are saying is the biggest in Mexico.

Street artists brighten lives in a rough Mexican town

A run-down and dangerous neighborhood in Mexico has transformed its image and its crime rate by altering its appearance. When artists in the Mexican city of Las Palmitas in Pachuca began to paint all the houses in the hillside town bright, vibrant colors, they saw it lift the spirits of the residents too. And crime was reduced as well.