Throwing money at a problem won’t always solve it, but the combination of money, skillful people and determination sure will.

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and Selma Police Department are examples of this.

Burglaries are a problem in rural county homes, but thanks to money from the JAG grant, the know-how of investigators and the will of deputies it has become less of a problem. Thirty-eight percent less of a problem since 2005 in fact.

The Selma Police Department created a Crime Response Team in order to have police on hand to go to problem areas and let their presence be known. This has lead to a number of drug arrests.

Both agencies are working with limited budgets, but they are solving their own problems whether it be through grants or creating new units.

Selma residents should be appreciative of both agencies constant work for us.

Their work means that both the city and the county could post lower crime rates for 2009.

If that isn’t impressive, then you’ll be hard-pressed to find something that is.