AUSTIN (March 16, 2010)--Rick Perry said Tuesday he has activated a secret spillover violence contingency plan, because of what he said is the increasing threat of violence crossing the border into Texas from Mexico.

Perry's office said details of the plan, activated Tuesday, wouldn't be released because of security concerns, but Perry said, "With the growing threat of violence in Mexico spilling over the border, we have taken important measures to increase the law enforcement presence along the Texas border and have placed additional resources on standby to combat any potential situation."

The secret plan includes increased surveillance of border activity and increased ground, air and maritime patrols.

Additional resources are on standby for rapid deployment including Texas Department of Public Safety tactical teams and Trooper Strike Teams, as well as Texas Ranger Recon Teams.

“It is imperative that the federal government immediately provide additional resources to prevent spillover violence, but with the safety of Texans on the line, we can’t afford to wait,” Perry said.

“We will continue to closely monitor this situation, and take any necessary action to ensure the safety of our citizens and to protect continued legitimate cross-border trade and travel,” he said.

Since January 2008, 4,700 murders have been committed in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Perry said, making it one of the most violent cities in the world.

Meanwhile Tuesday, the FBI said that confused hit men may have gone to the wrong party when they shot and killed the three people with ties to the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juarez, casting doubt on fears that the Saturday slayings in the border city shows Mexican drug cartels have launched an offensive against U.S. government employees.

The gunmen chased two white SUVs from the birthday party of a consulate employee's child on Saturday and opened fire as horrified relatives screamed.

The two nearly simultaneous attacks left three adults dead and two children wounded.

The attack drives home just how dangerous Juarez has become and just how vulnerable those who live and work there can be, despite the Mexican government's claims that most victims are drug smugglers.

According to one line of investigation, the assailants, who are believed to be aligned with the Juarez drug cartel, may have been ordered to attack a white SUV leaving a party and mistakenly went to the "Barquito de Papel."

The Barquito, whose name means "Paper Boat," puts on children's parties.

Experts as well cast doubt on the idea that drug cartels would be interested in turning their guns on U.S. government employees.