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Editorials - 02/08/01Recent crime wave is not news we want |
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Local stories have topped the regional tele-vision news for almost a week now. That's not the kind of recognition we like to see Jackson County receive. And it's certainly not the kind of news we want to report in The Sylva Herald.
We prefer to use this space to brag on the accomplishments of local people. We like to tout the cooperative efforts of our governmental and civic organizations. This week's headlines are something else entirely. The shock waves of learning that more bodies might be in the Moses Creek woods had barely ebbed before we learned foul play was suspected in the disappearance of a young Cherokee woman. Monday morning brought another shocker - the discovery that a Sylva woman had been stabbed in her home. The collective effect of these tragedies has been jolting. We are fast coming to the realization that it can happen here - that the national culture of violence has intruded into Jackson County. It's not that we've never had violent crime, it's that it seemed infrequent. During the past three years, we have reported on only a handful of murders. This week alone, our front page has details of two confirmed killings and stories that indicate the probability of two or three more. It is clear Jackson County has entered the mainstream in this area as well. How frightening for all of us. This week's news is too disturbing to ignore, though we have no solutions to offer. We do have gratitude for our law enforcement personnel, who are working tirelessly to bring resolution to these cases. Sylva Police have been working around the clock during their investigation of the downtown murder, while Sheriff's Department personnel, assisted by rescue squad members and FBI officers, have spent days in the Caney Fork section of the Roy Taylor National Forest trying to unearth more information there. Cherokee Police, along with Jackson, Haywood and Transylvania law enforcement personnel, continue their effort to unravel the mysterious disappearance of Deanah McCoy. News like we have this week makes us long for a simpler time when everyone knew all their neighbors, and no one had to lock their doors. Those days have been gone for a long time in most of the country. And now they're gone here, too. How sad for all of us. Editorial policyThe opinions expressed on this page are those of the Sylva Herald Editorial Committee. Opinions are derived independently and owe no allegiance to any group, organization or political party. We welcome opposing views. |
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