MURDER MOST FOUL


He stepped out of the vehicle and walked into the store to make the dailypick-up and just as he was leaving a man stepped in front of him. He saw the gun and the flash but he was dead before he heard the sound. His bullet-resistant vest, his gun, baton, flashlight, radio, his can of mace, or his hours of trainning did nothing to save him. The quick response time of the police department did nothing to prevent this crime. The crime left bits and pieces of flesh and blood spewed over clothes, by-standers, and concerned people trying to help, witnesses and workers in shock and some in need of thearpy, a young woman a widow and a child fatherless, a prep a little richer for awhile, and a whole community in shock.

The city council says it could do nothing to prevent this crime, the police of course will claim it is doing the best it can, and the citizens are feeling outraged and vunerable.

What could the city council and the citizens do yo prevent such crimes?

Early childhood intervention programs that are designed to find and help children who should signs of heading in the wrong direction, city government that recognizes and encourgages recail harmony and cooperation, newspapers that make bigger deals from racial cooperative achievements than incidents that divide people along racial lines, a properly managed and staffed police department, and a city council that cares more about people than remaining popular with them are a few of the things that could have changed what happened.

There are things we as citizens can do as well. Report crime, cooperate with the police in helping them solve crimes, and stop believing that using drugs is an individual choice that hurts no one.

There are many more things that can be done to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in Greensboro but pursuing individual agenda's and adopting "I believe this is the best way and if you don't agree with me you are an idiot" mentailty that I see prevails among the city leaders is not among them.