IT'S TIME FOR SOLUTIONS, NOT ACCUSATIONS

It's hard to stop talking about the events that transpired on Good Hope a little more than a week ago. Much of the town remains in disbelief that such a thing could happen here: residents and police fighting in the streets, cinder blocks and bottles thrown at police officers, heated racial tensions, allegations of police brutality, six police officers and two suspects hurt.

No one can change the bloody melee that occurred June 11. But the community can work together, black and white, to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Where do we go from here?

First off, both sides need time and space to talk about what happened. The meeting at St. James A.M.E. Church Tuesday night may not have been pleasant, but it was good to help expel the anger. Anger is part of the healing process. But it is also critical this community moves beyond the anger to understand and then resolve this crisis.

The incident has raised considerable questions as the community tries to understand what happened and why. This is not a time for either side to circle the wagons and take offense at the questioning process. The answers may help prevent a repeat performance in the heat of the long summer ahead.

To his credit, Police Chief Rick Hetzel has endorsed two suggestions that could make a real difference in easing hard feelings.

First off, he has welcomed an idea of a citizens advisory board. The idea, which was discussed at the community meeting, was seen by many as a place to start.

Hetzel originally presented the idea of a citizens advisory board to the city manager last year. It dovetails with the department's goal of community policing. Now is the time for the city to act on the suggestion.

The Rev. David Allen, president of the NAACP, said such a board might provide better input for people with grievances against the police. It certainly could help keep the lines of communication open.

Allen's leadership in this situation is commendable. His confidence in Cape Girardeau ability to overcome this unfortunate incident serves as an example to all.

Secondly, Hetzel has welcomed an independent investigation by the FBI into the clash between police and rioters. The FBI and possibly the Justice Department will investigate complaints by the suspects' families and others of legal and civil rights violations.

Hetzel's action to open the door to an outside agency demonstrates his confidence in his department's actions. Such a third-party investigation has been sought by a number of community leaders and others. This outside inquiry should resolve the allegations.

But we must not stop here. Now is the time to delve into all the questions on the table. It is time to clear the air between the police and those in the community who feel they have been unfairly targeted.

The Good Hope area has been spotlighted because of the crime rate. Weed and Seed dollars have been used to open a daytime substation. Should the substation be open extended hours? How can the substation better serve the residents? Should a substation commander and more officers be assigned there other than the community policing officers and volunteers? Why haven't people in the area embraced a neighborhood-watch program as a way to reduce crime? Are there other areas of town that should have more aggressive police enforcement than the south side of town?

But in the end actions will speak louder than words. Discussion and tangible suggestions that have occurred this week will go a long way to help ease tensions in town.

Cape Girardeau does not want to be remembered as the site of a near-riot in which six police officers and two others were injured. It is clear this community wants to be known as the town that took the bull by the horns and worked to solve a serious problem shared by all races.