Stop the violence

Violence, crime, murder, graffiti, vandalism.
They are dominating the news these days. Just look at our paper today. Murder charges in a domestic dispute, a shooting in Grain Valley, gangs and assaults on innocent neighbors.
It’s been a bloody summer in Eastern Jackson County. Seemingly more so than normal, but perhaps the gory trial and conviction of Richard Davis, on crimes that happened last year, made it seem worse.
But with the bad there has come some good also. Citizens and cities alike are rising up, calling for action, asking neighbors to stand together. They are not going to take it any more.
Thumbs up to neighborhood groups like the one forming in the Susquehanna area of northeastern Independence in an attempt to curb violence, graffiti and the intimidation of apparent gangs. It takes courage for citizens like Tina Wyatt-Rockers to come forward and tell their stories of victimization. But she has the right idea. It is going to take neighbors banding together to protect their own.
Groups like the one forming around 23rd Street in western Independence, who are tired of the constant vandalism and other crimes. Thumbs up to the citizens there like Elisa Breitenbach who are standing up and speaking out, in an effort to reclaim the streets.
Cities are answering the call, too. Independence is adopting new ordinances aimed at cracking down on graffiti violators. Penalties will become much stiffer, and even parents of offenders could face charges. Now, that should net some results.
Grain Valley is working on implementing a daytime curfew to combat truancy. Sugar Creek voted to become a member of the Youth Courth, so young offenders there start facing more consequences. Blue Springs is finding a way to propose added police officers as part of its 2009 budget.
Perhaps the most important benchmark to a good community and quality of life is public safety. We all want to be safe on our streets and in our homes, and we don’t want to have to worry about our loved ones when they are out, either.
All these measures, and more, are necessary. This problem is not going to go away. But if cities adopt more stringent enforcement methods, and citizens start looking out more for their neighbors, then that’s a good first step.