Regional task force is a good first step

By now we should all know that crime knows no boundaries. Police jurisdictions mean nothing for the criminal culture.

No one knows that better than Sikeston Public Safety Director Drew Juden. That's why Sikeston and other communities formed a regional task force to address crime issues that cross county lines and multiple jurisdictions.

By way of example, Sikeston's surge in violent crimes erupted in the '90s because of too many drugs and too many guns. While our community was addressing this increase and putting plans into action, Cape Girardeau seemed like an oasis of safety.

But the headlines have changed in recent years and now Cape Girardeau is seeing the results of improved law enforcement in other communities and some of that criminal element is now plying their trade in the city to our north.

Law enforcement officers are our front line defense but the courts are critical in this issue as well. If the courts simply slap the hands of criminals, that too sends a signal that the consequences of crime are of little concern.

There's a lot of discussion these days about the overcrowding of prisons and the movement to ease the sentencing for low-level drug charges. By freeing some non-violent criminals, the prisons would have ample space for violent crime offenders.

And though I resisted this movement, it's starting to make sense.

Law enforcement officials note that many low-level drug dealers or users are rarely sent to prison for that crime alone. Usually there is a long pattern of crime that is considered when the sentencing is handed out.

But the spike in more violent crimes from assaults to murder gives us an opportunity to explore ways to remove the truly bad guys from society. And if that means early releases for non-violent criminals, then so be it.

Law enforcement officials will tell you that the criminal element here or in Charleston or Cairo or elsewhere is often one and the same.

That is additional reason for coordination of law enforcement efforts throughout our region and cooperation among all law enforcement jurisdictions.

We take no pleasure in an increase in crime any where else. But quite frankly, when pressure is applied in one location, it makes common sense that it will migrate to another location.

We urge the courts to be proactive in removing the bad guys from our streets and re-establishing a safe community for all residents.

We commend law enforcement for taking the first important step to coordinate their enforcement.

The message is clear. We will not tolerate criminal activity that threatens the safety of our residents. And when you are caught - and you will be caught - the courts will use the full measure of the law to assure that you don't return to the streets anytime soon.

One final message.

An essential element in the prevention and reduction of crime is a cooperative citizenry. If a resident knows of a crime and is unwilling to assist law enforcement, then we deserve what we get.