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Leaders’ actions don’t match crime priorities
Published Sunday, October 28, 2007
Judging from recent headlines, an outsider might think that the City of Natchez is spiraling down into a state of anarchy — a society without laws.
But before we turn off the lights and head for greener pastures, let’s consider a few things.
First, each of the shootings and murders that have occurred this year are awful, plain and simple.
From the domestic-related incidents to the ones that appear to be related to drug activity, the loss of human life is never something to be taken lightly.
In a reaction to what seems to be a rash of violent crimes lately, our city’s political leaders have heard concerns from citizens and plan to meet together on Wednesday to discuss how to address the “crime problem.”
Talking about the problems is a good first step into making an all-inclusive plan to attack the problem.
It’s ironic, however, that the city leaders chose Halloween night for the first such meeting.
The solution to crime begins with our youth. Criminal activity isn’t necessarily caused purely by choice. In some cases, toting guns illegally and settling scores violently comes from one’s upbringing and the culture in which the child considers “normal.”
So it’s ironic that the city’s meeting on crime comes on the one night of the year when most children and their parents are out seeking treats.
Second, Halloween is a holiday in which lots of people dress up and pretend to be something that they’re not.
The same thing is going on with our leaders. They say crime is a No. 1 priority, but their actions speak differently.
Case in point: for literally more than a decade, Natchez Police Department officials have complained that they struggle to keep good police officers since their pay rates are so low.
Too often, NPD leaders say, good officers move on to better paying jobs elsewhere. So essentially, NPD becomes mostly a training ground for other law enforcement agencies.
While increasing officer pay and other police resources alone won’t solve the crime problems, it’s a start.
We need to make up our minds that we, as a community, are willing to pay for top-notch law enforcement officers.
Further, city leaders want to have its citizens abide by the law, but the city’s hypocritical nature toward its own laws sends a mixed message.
In the last year or so, on a number of occasions, city leaders have either casually ignored or blatantly violated a number of laws.
From tearing down buildings without permission to bending rules regarding giving themselves raises, lots of bad practices have been put into play as public examples of the way laws don’t apply to people in power.
As simple as it sounds, our city isn’t enforcing lots of laws now, so is it any wonder we’re raising a generation of lawbreakers?
For example, is anyone enforcing the curfew laws?
What about loitering?
Beyond those, you can take it down a notch further. Even seemingly simple ordinances seem to be ignored often.
What about the sign ordinance or any of a number of historic preservation laws?
Look at the latest issue with the former First Baptist Church building.
The new owners appear to have circumvented preservation regulations by ripping out all the windows from the building. They did so with what they thought was permission of the board of aldermen — permission that the board doesn’t actually have the authority to grant.
If we want all the citizens to abide by the law, our leaders need to be setting good examples.
Despite the recent crime, Natchez is still a safe place to live and raise a family. Imagine how good the quality of life could be if we focused together and really invested in solutions rather than just talking about the problems.
Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.
Comments
Posted by luv2travel (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 1:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very good article Kevin....Tell them like it is...
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 2:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You speak much truth, Kevin. Our politicians are setting such a negative example with their do nothingness mentality (except for big talk). And as for Mr. Mayor, I am so sorry for his loss of Carolyn...what a wonderful person she was, but he needs to come back out and start addressing the public on these issues of what, if anything, their talk is going to mount to. And how in the world can a group of politicians decide to meet about important issues like crime without willingly inviting the public to their meeting. It is our city and they are our constituants. WE, the citizens, should have a say so in the process of the things that will directly affect us in this community. I'm agrivated that the October 31st meeting is shut to the public. I don't have much faith (and apparently many others do not eighther) in them accomplishing anything tangiable October 31st. Mr. Mayor, Alderpersons, Councilmen and Chief Mullins, don't discout the public. We should be involved in the process. That just is not right. Kevin and the Democrat Staff, thank you for your help. Please keep the forums open because it seems that this is the only avenue we have to vent and voice our thoughts.
Posted by Crazynms (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 4:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Take the money you pay for outsiders to come in here and tell you HOW to build a recreation area or how to spend the money to do it and give that to the police officers. Then just build the rec. area and get it over with.
Posted by ntz143 (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Cooper, while I agree with the general premise of your commentary I would like to challenge you to use your considerable print space to propose some solutions. You have spent the entire article pointing out what most of us already know.....I for one would be very interested in what your specific solutions to these issues are. I have been at too many "community meetings" that turned into a gripe session. People want to complain but don't offer solutions. You could set a very positive example by not falling into that same trap. So, how do we fix these issues?
Posted by Omega (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NtzMom55, the public is not invited to the meeting for one or two reasons. The public might point out their short commings as Kevin pointed out in this great artical, and or they don't care or want to hear what people have to say.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Kevin for another great article and standing behind the public to address this issue. I am happy to note you found the meeting behind closed doors an obstruction and a slap in the face to the citizens. We will definitely remember this election day. Never before have I witnessed such a verbal revolt from the citizens and it's time to take action. I think it would NOT be inappropriate for the citizens to meet up where the meeting is held and let these elected city leaders know, without any doubt, they are completely fed up with how things are being run. As you stated, if our leaders are criminals, what do they expect from the citizens. I have to go along with ntz143, and ask you if you have any suggestions on how to fix these issues. Your voice is loud, and it can be heard by the elected leaders and if repeated often enough they can not ignore it forever. Thanks again Kevin for the good work.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ALL POSTERS check out the Ruritan writeup.
Posted by luv2travel (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I knew when i called they said it was NOT open to the public....Once again where is the MAYOR!!
Posted by revolutionary (anonymous) on October 28, 2007 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you that most of the elected officials are basically dressing up and pretending to be the leaders that they are not. The only ones that I feel have any principle are Mathis and B. West even though he has made some mistakes in his personal life, but who hasn't. These are the people that citizens in Natchez voted to represent them and that is what they are now doing with no need from input from you. The people who voted for them and are complaining about this meeting not being public will be the same ones holding signs and going from door to door to get votes for the in the next election. You get what you vote for.
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on October 30, 2007 at 7:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone asked Kevin to write an article with some solution ideas...why don't we start offering some?
I say tack a buck or 2 onto our utility bills to go towards pay raises for NPD.
NEXT...?
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