A good deal of conversation in Selma has centered on the recent violence — shootings, murders and fights — in this small city.

Because Selma is smaller than Montgomery, Birmingham, New Orleans or New York, these incidences draw more attention and raise concerns quicker.

Recently, residents of Selma have called for more prayer and better parenting.

Prayer certainly is admirable. It calms the soul and opens the mind for more rational thinking because of the calming effect. It is the belief of many God will help those who pray.

But the scriptures show us God also helps those who help themselves. There is not much evidence in the scripture of a person sitting and wailing to God in which the hand of the Almighty reached down magically and took care of a problem. Indeed, in the case of two twin cities in the Old Testament, God removed Lot’s family and destroyed the city.

So we stand at a place where we need to pray for guidance, but take action as a community.

Looking back, it’s easy to jump on the wagon of better parenting. By the time a child has reached his or her late teens to early 20s, the time for intense parenting has ended. A parent could only guide and discuss. As for the early years, if we expect parenting to take care of our issues we must make readily available parenting classes — for free and accessible.

The greatest step toward deterrence toward increased violence has come from the Dallas County District Court. Last week, Judge Bob Armstrong essentially said he has the power to keep those with histories of violence and now accused off the streets long enough for justice to run its course. He set bonds of two accused of murder at $2 million each, and he sent a warning to others who might appear in his courtroom later.

The core of violence — poor education and a lack of jobs — will have to be addressed in tandem with a quicker fix.

Here it is: Harass every individual or group of individuals who stand on street corners; pull over speeders; stop those on the street after dark and question them.

Additionally, neighbors need to look out for neighbors. Report strangers in neighborhoods. Watch the comings and goings in the neighborhood. Report oddball behavior to the police.

These measures aren’t a cure-all, but they are a beginning in cleaning up Selma.