The turning of a new year is always a good time for reflection, but looking back across 2004, there are many things we’d prefer to forget.

That’s why we were pleased to here that the Selma Police Department is looking ahead to 2005 and putting a plan in place to help ensure next year is much safer than this year.

The key to success in 2005, according to interim Police Chief Bobby Jacobs, is the men and women in blue. After seeing the number of officers on duty fall to the low 50’s, Selma now has a full compliment of 59 officers.

“We have been able to recruit some of the finest personnel who have years of experience,” Jacobs told the Times-Journal. “They come here wanting to be the best.”

It’s that kind of desire that can make a difference in our city.

We all know the numbers by now, Selma had too many killings, too many robberies and far too many shootings in 2004.

It’s time the community backs the SPD and the Dallas County Sheriff’s office in stemming the tide.

Part of Jacobs and assistant chief Jimmy Martin’s plan includes getting more officers on the streets.

Additional patrols downtown have already begun.

“Citizens are going to be seeing a lot more law enforcement,” Jacobs said.

That’s great news for our city.

While there is no perfect deterrent for crime, more officers on the street means more risk for the criminals and more opportunity for officers to interact with ordinary citizens.

Better relationships between police and citizens could led to witnesses more willing to talk than in the past.

Another move we applaud is officers more aggressively checking up on local nightclubs.

While the owners may find it inconvenient, there have been too many incidents that started in a local club and spilled out onto public streets to be ignored.

If the move saves just one life, than the inconveniences will be well worth it.

In the end, local law enforcement

is working to make sure that 2005 is a safer year

than the one before it and they deserve our support in those efforts.