In a declaration of strength and power, the Selma Police Department the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Gulf Coast Region have banned together to fight crime, particularly the gun violence in Selma.

Operation Focused Remedy will work three months to fight crime in Selma.

This is what we need.

After nine homicides this year, according to Selma Times-Journal reports, it is past time that the law enforcement not only in this city and county but that the state gives relief to our problems here in town.

Our complaints have been heard, and the efforts that groups such as Saving Selma Lives have given are finally paying off to help raise awareness that Selma citizens face everyday.

This operation is important and deserves our full support.

We agree with District Attorney Michael Jackson that the gang violence has gotten out of hand, and something must be done.

ATF’s resources are top of the line as well.

ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence resources include firearms tracing, the use of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) and the issues surrounding stolen firearms from the public.

The charges against 24 defendants and the seizure of 50 guns are just the beginning in what this operation will do.

We are glad they are here.