There are those who would complain about the size bonds placed on suspected criminals when they are first arrested. There are those who would say the bonds place an unrealistic dollar amount on those who are simply “suspects” and have yet to be accused of a crime.

The truth is, there are guidelines in place that clearly govern the levying of bonds, and it is those guidelines, not the authorities who levy the bonds, that should be criticized and addressed.

For those who want to polish over the prevalence of a criminal element in Selma for the sake of image and perception, we apologize. But, there is a significant crime and drug element in Selma that must be battled and battled in a strong way.

If high bonds are offensive to some, then we are sorry you feel that way. If checkpoints within the city limits are offensive to some, then we are sorry you feel that way.  If it is problematic to some that fire code inspections and business license checks are being held, then we are sorry you feel that way.

Earlier this year, after a string of shootings and other violent incidents, city and police officials came together to say they were stepping up efforts to curb crime. We are sure some of those efforts have been started, but not enough is being done yet.

As we move closer to discussions on Selma’s next fiscal budget — a budget that goes into effect on Oct. 1 — there should be lengthy consideration of not only increasing the budgets for the city’s police and fire departments, but specific discussions on how an increase in taxpayer funds will go to reduce the level of crime we have seen.

There is not a person in this town — rather there is not a logical person in this town — who would not support and encourage such an increase in spending if there was a realistic expectation such spending would “take a bite out of crime.”

Tough action must be taken to curb violence in Selma. That action must be balanced with a tough judicial system and a tough police force. It requires a strong partnership between the citizens who are tired of crime and those who are tasked with those citizens’ protection.

For Selma to change in the way we all want, we must start with cutting down on those actions that give others a perception of Selma that, unfortunately, we sometimes deserve.vv