ENDING THE SILENCE

Death Threats Against Cocoa Police Demand Citizens Speak Up With Information

'Refusing to talk might be misguided loyalty, a self-destructive "no-
snitch" code, or the unwillingness of relatives to turn in their own. '

Sounds like advice that might be given to cops too.

Unless residents speak out, their community is headed for collapse.

It looks like that stark a choice in a crime-ridden section of Cocoa,
where death threats have been made against city police officers in a
housing project known for drug dealing.

It's obvious that someone knows something about the situation, but so
far, no one has come forward with information -- or even to tell what
they suspect.

Even though the Cocoa Police Department offers a hotline, where
residents can give anonymous tips in complete safety.

And even though the penalty -- loss of a decent place to live, and of
physical safety for themselves and their loved ones -- falls on the
same residents who are keeping their mouths shut.

Refusing to talk might be misguided loyalty, a self-destructive "no-
snitch" code, or the unwillingness of relatives to turn in their own.
But whatever it is, it has to change if residents expect to have a
decent future.

And community leaders should take up that challenge -- loud, clear
and right now.

The incident involves threats to kill Cocoa police officers, spray-
painted on a public housing project on the block between Mango and
Blake avenues on Barbara Jenkins Street.

The threats -- "All cops must die," "We've got guns too," "Cops are
gonna cry. Dope boys" -- are dangerous enough, attacking the law
enforcement personnel who keep all of us safe.

But they go sickeningly further, specifically naming as targets five
officers who make many drug arrests, as well as housing authority
workers who evicted some who broke housing rules.

Some in the neighborhood may know who tried to turn those threats
into fatal action -- but still have said nothing.

Two Cocoa police officers were shot at in recent weeks and another
Cocoa resident was arrested for threatening an officer.

Problems, especially those associated with drugs, have cursed the
area for years. But the city is moving to clean up the decayed
housing project and replace it with private housing for first-time buyers.

The improvement offers badly needed hope for the area. And that makes
what's going on now a crime against those who might someday make safe
homes there, as well as against the police.

Cocoa Police spokeswoman Barbara Matthews said it took time for the
thugs who made the threats to take down a chain link fence
surrounding the property and do the painting. But "nobody called us."

"It's their neighborhood, too," she says.

It certainly is.

So where are the community leaders who should be taking the lead in
this fight? And where are the ministers who should be taking their
congregations to the streets to fight crime?

And where is the courage of citizens who fear to -- or refuse to --
even make an anonymous phone call to 639-7620, to save their own neighborhood?

The police can't fight crime alone.

If the battle is lost, the victims will be the families trying hard
to survive and build a better future.