Less than one hour before 2011 rang in, Kevin Stallworth died of a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported from outside the 12 Stone Club to Vaughan Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

A little more than an hour into the new year, Rodney Walters, 48, became another victim of a shooting in the 700 block of Second Avenue. He was taken to Vaughan Regional and died of his injuries there later.

This is too much. It needs to stop.

The police are doing their jobs, but they seem overwhelmed and understaffed. They need more than new computers and faster cars. They need help in terms of manpower.

Most times there are five officers on the road in patrol cars in the evening.

When something happens, those officers leave their beats or patrol areas to cover for others, leaving large chunks of the city unprotected.

Additionally, sometimes only one officer is left in the city when an event occurs in the police jurisdiction.

This city has a smaller city budget, but big city crime. Studies have been made and completed and recommendations have been given.

But where are the results?

Neighborhood Watch programs are good. They bring neighbors together and have them watch out for one another. But in some neighborhoods there are no watch programs. The lawless intimidate and prey on older people or those who live alone.

It is time the Selma City Council took a hard look at the police department in terms of policy. Is current policy working? How can it be improved? How can manpower best be used?

It is time for the members of the city council, many who campaigned on public safety, to sit down with the mayor, the chief of police and officers — the rank and file — to very publicly list the issues and search for answers.

This senseless killing has to stop now.