GROUP TACKLES NEIGHBORHOOD

The Good Hope neighborhood of Cape Girardeau was once a thriving commercial district. But the area has fallen on some hard times in recent years. Whether deserved or not, the neighborhood has gained a reputation as a high-crime zone.

There have been efforts to stem that tide. The Salvation Army built its new building, which includes a much-used recreation center, in the heart of the Good Hope neighborhood. And the police department began focusing its community policing effort in that area.

Now a group called Citizens With Concerned Hearts is making yet another effort to restore pride and a sense of belonging in the neighborhood. Recently a small army of volunteers spent a Saturday picking up trash and sprucing up the surroundings. There is still plenty left to do, but organizers of the group are optimistic about their goals.

If nothing else, the group is sending a good message: Cape Girardeau is a city that has compassion and concern for areas that are struggling to maintain their viability. That vision and the hard work that goes with it are to be commended.