CITIZEN SUPPORT FOR POLICE

It is an unfortunate facet of society today, but many residents of high-crime locales are leery of those charged with protecting and serving their neighborhoods.

Too often the perception is that the police harass folks in these neighborhoods but are nowhere to be found when they're really needed. As crime rises in such areas, many residents cite an ineffective police force as the reason.

Jim Leist, chief of Sikeston's Department of Public Safety, understands this. His department often has been the target of criticism from people living in high-crime neighborhoods like the Sunset neighborhood on Sikeston's west side.

To counter the criticism, and the perception that beleaguered residents of Sunset have been all but forgotten at City Hall, Leist has started a Citizens' Police Academy. The academy drew about 25 people to its first class, where public safety officials discussed the department, its various divisions and how it operates. It's a good way to inject humanity into the department, letting residents see that the police are just trying to do a difficult and dangerous job the best way they know how.

Too many people form their opinions about police without regard for the difficulties faced by law enforcement. The academy's aim is to clarify for the community the department's role. By doing so, the department helps itself by winning residents' support and their help in performing the difficult task of public safety.