Crime

I attended a Townhall meeting in the Heights hosted by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and it was a packed house. Some recent crimes in the area have heightened concern and the forum allowed for community members to provide input. In order for us to combat crime effectively, it is crucial for the lines of communication to remain strong between all our law enforcement agencies and the citizenry. I am encouraged to see community members concerned for their neighborhoods and the willingness of our police professionals to engage in constructive dialogue.

However, no one entity can eradicate crime. It takes a collective effort by many to truly be effective in protecting our communities. All our law enforcement agencies must find ways to collaborate and communicate more effectively. New technologies must be explored to help suppress crime. We must also work with families and schools to ensure that young kids continue down a positive path and away from bad choices that ultimately lead to crime involvement.

Our city is fortunate to have some of the best law enforcement professionals in the nation, but they also need strong community support to remain effective. It is imperative for community members to stay informed about crime issues and to report crimes as they occur. By working together we can all help create safer communities.