( CNN ) -- The homicide rate in Mexico 's most violent city -- Ciudad Juarez -- is down , according to Mexican President Felipe Calderon , but some residents of the city are not convinced . `` We are facing an entirely political statement , which is not based on reality . A statistic must be considered as a long process and not in a comparison of one month to another , '' Ciudad Juarez criminologist Oscar Maynes said . Over the weekend , Calderon said homicides had fallen by 60 % in Juarez since last October , comparing statistics from that month with April 's numbers . Speaking during an event that commemorated the city 's 100th anniversary and its participation in the Mexican Revolution , Calderon said Juarez was `` going through a time of darkness '' and defended his crime-fighting strategy . `` There are probably variations and jumps [ in the murder rate ] because the evil of criminals are still there , but we must persevere in our efforts , '' he said . But several days after Calderon 's departure , some residents remained skeptical of his assessment . `` The president just came here and ( violence ) went down , but to say 60 or 70 % is a lie -- he just left and the violence continues , '' Juarez resident Gaspar Rocha told CNN . `` You have seen what has happened in the past and it will continue and continue and ( Calderon ) will leave . They 're just words ... it 's a lie . '' University professor Hugo Almada cautioned that the government should take a more measured approach . `` It seemed to me that the tone of the speech was very triumphant , and it should have been more moderate , because we have already had other moments in which it seems there a slight decrease in the situation , and later it picks up again , '' he said . October 2010 saw a record of 359 homicides in the city , according to figures kept by the Chihuahua state attorney general 's office . The deadliest month was followed by 198 homicides in November and 213 in December . The pace of homicides continued into the New Year , with 215 killed in January and 231 in February . In March and April 2011 there were 176 and 271 homicides , respectively . In his speech , Calderon used figures from the country 's public safety secretary , which said there had been 166 homicides in April and 417 in October 2010 . The state attorney general 's office said there has been a marked decrease in homicides in May , with 118 victims so far . Maynes said the recent decline is due to multiple factors , but not to police or intelligence strategies of government officials . `` Violence is down at the border , but they have killed many people . People with resources have gone , or are paying an extortion fee , but I do not see any strategy that is working , '' Maynes said . To accurately measure a trend , it 's necessary to compare rates over a one-year period , not month to month , Maynes said . `` We have to recognize that the economy has not improved , the shops are closed -- that is the most valid demonstration . The effect is not just felt in terms of border killings , but also kidnapping , extortion and assaults , '' he added . During Calderon 's visit , state officials said they were beginning a new effort to help re-brand the city 's violent image : changing its name . Government officials approved a name change to `` Heroic Ciudad Juarez '' to emphasize the city 's participation in the Mexican Revolution , but only as a symbolical slogan and not for official purposes , said Enrique Serrano Escobar , coordinator with the office of Chihuahua state representatives . Homicides in Juarez , which borders El Paso , Texas , are often attributed to two violent drug cartels battling for turf in the city . Ciudad Juarez is the city with the highest number of homicides in Mexico , with a record 8,000 victims since 2008 , according to the Chihuahua state attorney general 's office . But this week , the city saw a brief respite . For 28 hours , between 7 p.m. Monday and 11 p.m. Tuesday , there were no reports of homicides . Journalist Edgar Roman contributed to this report .
Calderon says violence is down 60 % , comparing statistics from October and April . A criminologist says that comparison paints an inaccurate picture . He notes that Juarez residents also face kidnapping , extortion and assaults . Residents say they are skeptical of Calderon 's assessment .