Editorial

Blytheville citizens can help reduce crime by getting involved

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

For the past several years, Blytheville has seen its share of ups and downs. We have seen hard times, and have come together time and time again to overcome challenges. The citizens of Blytheville have shown that we truly are a "don't quit" community. Even our former Governor, Mike Beebe, referred to Blytheville as the "come back kids". The tenacity of our citizens to unite for a common cause is apparent in our winning of the Volunteer Community of the Year for the past 3 years in a row.

Over the past few weeks the citizens of Blytheville have united in a campaign to stop the violence that is happening in our neighborhoods. I applaud the efforts of our local community and its leaders that have risen to the challenge and taken this campaign to the streets of our city.

I realize that there is crime issue in our city, and I personally for the past 30 years have been making all efforts to reduce crime. Blytheville is a great city and I have chosen to raise my family here. I will continue to make every effort to identify and reduce criminal elements so that other families can prosper in our community. I will continue to work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as well as local community leaders to reduce the crime in our neighborhoods.

Government is only one option in dealing with crime. Working with quality of life issues, job creation and economic development are key roles that government can play in the effort. The real work involves the community and families. Organizations like Stop the Violence, Healing in the Hood and the City's own Cleaner Safer Blytheville Program all have to work together to make Blytheville a better place.

Blytheville is unique and should be handled in its own unique way. It is going to take all of us, from the mothers and fathers, our business community and local legislators to work together to make Blytheville a better place to live. Now join me and get involved with some of our local organizations that are working hard to improve our quality of life. Blytheville is a great town to live in and it is our responsibility as citizens to take ownership in improving that quality of life.

-- Mayor James Sanders