Reclaiming streets

Three churches in south Cape Girardeau -- True Vine Ministries, Freedom Road Ministries, New Horizons Missionary Church -- are organizing a march through neighborhoods to reclaim the streets that have become hot spots for crime ranging from drug deals to arson to prostitution. The march is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Ranney Park.

The crime problems in south Cape Girardeau are beyond simple solutions, and Saturday's march isn't intended to be an easy fix. But it will call attention to the concerns of law-abiding residents of the area. And if parade marchers come from other parts of the city, it will be an indication that they recognize this is a problem that ultimately has an impact on the entire city -- that it's "our" problem and not "their" problem.

Organizers are looking for 1,000 marchers Saturday. Following the march there will be a community organizing meeting for those who want to stay. This is a good opportunity to get involved in solving a serious problem in our city.