ATTACKING THE PLAGUE

Local Law Enforcement And The Public Must Work Together To Bust
Criminals

Keep up the pressure.

That's what local enforcement sees as one way to combat rising crime
in Brevard County and we couldn't agree more.

A new Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports crime was up 5.5
percent last year countywide. But it didn't take a report to encourage
action.

In March, the Melbourne Police Department and the Brevard County
Sheriff's Office joined in Operation Take Back, arresting 80 on drug
and prostitution charges in three days .

This week, Titusville police nabbed more than 40 suspects linked to
violent crimes, drugs, and prostitution and probation violations.

Called Operation Teamwork, it was Titusville's most comprehensive
crime sweep ever, and came in response to citizens' concerns.

That's evidence of a recent and welcome increase in communication
between lower-income minority communities and the police.

Now, the affected neighborhoods must continue to work with the police
to keep the criminals out, says Cheryl Lawson-Young, a local
anti-crime activist.

That means citizens rejecting the "no snitch" mentality prevalent in
some areas and reporting any crimes.

The only hope in solving this plague is for a fed-up public and law
enforcement to work together every day.