Efforts are bringing improvements here

It's hard to measure success in Sikeston's ongoing battle to remove and upgrade eyesore properties and to reduce the criminal element but we sense that progress is indeed being made.

The early word is that the Housing Authority officers recently assigned to patrol subsidized housing are already showing signs of progress. One resident of subsidized housing called our offices this week to report that the number of unauthorized residents staying in subsidized housing had been greatly reduced.

There is no way of calculating success of this program at least in the short time it has been in operation. But these are good signs.

Meanwhile, the efforts of the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) continues to make visible progress.

Another piece of this citywide improvement is for the city courts to remain tough on those who violate property laws. From reading recent city court results, it seems obvious we're getting tough at a time when we should.

The only remaining element to turn the corner here in a big way is the addition of jobs to our community. That issue is always the most difficult to address because it involves countless components. But we continue to work diligently toward the goal of more jobs here and the fruits of those labors will someday be evident.

Now all that remains is for residents of Sikeston to continue to support law enforcement and the courts, to help LCRA achieve their goals and to promote our community whenever, wherever and however possible.

When all of these puzzle pieces come together, we as a community will reap the benefits.