ADDING MORE POLICE WON'T SOLVE PROBLEM

I read the June 28 article in the Milwaukee section titled "Metcalfe Park
mourns again / Many plead for more police patrol after teen dies, two
others hurt."

I am constantly amazed that any community feels the solution to its crime
problem is more police. Certainly an adequate police presence is a
deterrent, but unless we are prepared for a total police state, it is not
the solution to Metcalfe Park's crime.

The solution to the crime problem is to treat the root cause of the
problem. In this case, one of the problems is drug addiction. Unless we
stop the drug addiction and community tolerance to it, we will never stop
the crime.

There must be total community agreement that drugs and crime will not be
tolerated. Members of the community must take some responsibility for what
is happening on their streets. A community that makes a clear stand against
drugs, gangs and crime will reduce its crime rate.

Yes, the police can stop crime. In a totalitarian state, such as the former
Soviet Union, crime is low. Are we prepared to pay this price, or should we
seek other solutions, such as taking responsibility in our communities?

We must take our communities back from those who have literally stolen them
from us. We need fewer criminals, not more police.

Stephen M. Dorman Milwaukee