DRUG-CRIME DECLINE

Work, watchfulness needed to continue drop in murders The decline in
Charlotte's drug-related deaths is good news. But if historical
trends prevail, the drop could be simply a brief reprieve as an
economic recession sends more citizens into desperate circumstances
and possibly deadly crimes.

Still, the 10-year low in drug-related deaths last year, as well as a
12-percent drop in the total number of slayings, is something this
community can build upon. With continued concentrated efforts from
both police and regular citizens, we can beat the odds and sustain
this decline. In so doing, we will improve the living conditions for
all of us.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police deserve credit in helping foster the
decline. When Darrel Stephens took over as chief in 1999,
drug-related crimes factored into a dramatic increase in murders
here. He wasted no time in trying to rein in the crime surge,
reviving street-level drug enforcement units and strategically using
them where drug crimes were rampant. The move has been effective.

But also important have been citizens and citizen groups in many of
these crime-ravaged neighborhoods. These determined citizens,
sometimes small in number, have given criminals notice that they
won't stand by idly while their communities are ripped apart. A month
ago, the FBI recognized one of those citizens, the Rev. James
Barnett, for his work. He was given the FBI's annual leadership award
for his almost single-minded efforts to rid black communities of
homicides and other criminal activity through his Stop the Killing
Crusade. It is an honor well earned.

Still, law enforcers admit that the economy is also a factor in the
decrease in crimes. When economic conditions are good, crime usually
declines. That's why Chief Stephens' warning is worth hearing: "When
people are out of work, they are more likely to run to alcohol or
drugs. That generally increases not only violent crime, but property
crime as well."

That increase may be under way already. Officials say armed robberies
were up 16 percent during the first 10 months of 2001. Commercial
burglaries, like holdups at restaurants and convenience stores,
jumped 22 percent.

In addition, Charlotte-Mecklenburg posted a record number of Hispanic
deaths last year, many of them during burglaries or robberies. Police
are working with community groups and others to stem this surge by
urging people to stop carrying large sums of money and instead put it
in banks or credit unions.

So today's good news could quickly turn sour without continued work.
That's why it's encouraging to hear that police will not only
continue their drug interdiction but also focus more on domestic
violence, robberies and burglaries, which fuel many of Charlotte's
homicides.

With their vigilance and ours, we can overcome the obstacles and
continue this welcome drop in deadly crimes.