Only a little over a week into the month and Selma has already had five shootings, a stabbing and arson. Of these incidents, two individuals have died, one victim is in a medically induced coma and multiple have been hospitalized.

With the jubilee over this past weekend, our local law enforcement has been working nonstop, putting in their best effort to keep our city safe for the thousands who were in attendance. We applaud them. They were able to maintain the peace and keep the crowd safe.

But how can we reflect on the peaceful turned violent events of 1965 and then celebrate progress and moving forward when current violent crimes are holding us back?

On March 1, a woman lit her boyfriend on fire because of a verbal altercation. A man was shot in the foot on Saturday. On Sunday, a woman stabbed her boyfriend in the shoulder with a steak knife and two men were gunned down with an assault type rifle. The next day a man attempted to rob a 60-year-old woman at gunpoint and then was shot as he fled after opening fire on the woman’s grandson. On Tuesday a woman was shot while sitting on her porch and a man was shot in the leg earlier that morning.

No dispute should end in violence, injury or death.

Without missing a beat, local law enforcement pushed through the weekend, working hard to bring closure to these cases. But that isn’t enough.

These cases need justice, yes, but Selma can only move forward if the entire community comes together as a positive entity to prevent future incidents.

Reflect on the events of 1965. Resolve conflict through rational discussion, not violence. Be an example to future generations, to prevent future conflict and to preserve Selma as a community who strives to be better.

If you have any information regarding these crimes call Crime Stoppers at (334) 874-2588 or call Secret Witness line at (334) 874-2190.