SAN YSIDRO -- The Border Patrol released photos Friday of attacks on agents that they say have led to the use of pepper spray and tear gas in Mexican border neighborhoods.

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Officials said that escalating violence at the U.S.-Mexico border is forcing agents to take new measures, and the new tactics are creating controversy.

Since October 1, there have been 90 assaults against Border Patrol agents in the San Diego area, according to officials. The violence is most common just east of the San Ysidro port of entry along a 2-mile stretch of border, in an area called Colonia Libertad.

"It is a scary situation," said Damon Foreman of the Border Patrol. "It's an area that has a tradition and a history for being a smuggling type of neighborhood."

The area is one of most densely populated neighborhoods pushing up against the border. Several U.S. Border Patrol agents have reported rock-throwing incidents in the area.

"The windshields are being busted. They're going through the windshield and actually hitting our agents and actually harming them," Foreman said.

In response, the Border Patrol called in special response teams equipped to shoot pepper spray across the border, but human rights activists say the suspected smugglers and rock throwers aren't the only ones being targeted.

"We're getting reports from residents in Tijuana that canisters are being fired by border patrol agents into folks homes in Tijuana," said Christian Ramirez of the American Friends Service Committee.

Agents admit they cannot direct the pepper spray with 100 percent accuracy. In the end, immigrant rights activists say this may just be a symptom of a much bigger problem.

"Border Patrol agents shouldn't be placed in danger. Residents in Tijuana shouldn't have canisters sent into their homes. I think if we were to have a sensible immigration policy that many of these things could be avoided," Ramirez said.

The Mexican Consulate said the Mexican government is aware there is a problem and has met with the Border Patrol to find a way to resolve these issues.

Previous Story:

• December 14, 2007: Border Agents Firing Tear Gas Into Mexico