Pubdate: Sun, 06 Jul 2003 Source: Fort Pierce Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2003 The E.W. Scripps Co. Contact: http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/tribune Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2050 MEETINGS HOLD PROMISE IN CRIME FIGHT As a result of a dialogue opened last month between residents in northwest Fort Pierce and Police Chief Eugene Savage, the chief will begin conducting monthly meetings to address crime concerns in the area. We're hopeful those meetings will lead to greater community involvement in fighting the crime problem and will lead to creation of tangible solutions for crime prevention. The northwest area has long been plagued by high unemployment, drugs and violence. There have been more than 60 murders in the area in the past six years. There have already been 10 murders in the city this year, already surpassing last year's total. At that meeting in June, Savage described the violence as "an epidemic." While many of the crimes are black on black and often relate to gang activity, the violence has tarnished the image of the city as a whole and has made living in and traveling through the northwest area uncomfortable to dangerous. Certainly there needs to be a greater police presence in the area, but police cannot stop the crimes alone or catch all the criminals without assistance of residents of the community. The community in the past has demonstrated that it wants to take back its streets, its homes and its businesses from the criminals. And, the city of Fort Pierce has demonstrated a willingness to assist financially in creating a greater sense of pride in the area. Still, however, the crime continues. According to Audria Moore, a spokeswoman for the police department, Savage will begin his monthly meetings with groups of about 10 people on July 17. That meeting is already full, but residents can contact Moore for participation in later meetings. The two-hour meetings, for which there will be no agenda, will continue on the third Thursday of each month. A meeting just with youth is also being planned. We would hope that those attending the meetings will do so not just with concerns about the crime problems but with suggestions for possible solutions. And, we would hope that agencies or groups that may need to be a part of those solutions will also step up and help stop this continuing threat to lives, property and image. We commend Savage for his willingness to become more personally involved in seeking solutions. Those solutions may be difficult to achieve, but efforts must be made. The law-abiding citizens who represent the vast majority in that area of the city must be granted the opportunity to feel safe. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)