A rose to the resurgence of neighborhood watch groups in the city of Columbus. There are currently nine such groups in the city, six of them emerging in the past year alone. Often, these groups are formed when a neighborhood is rocked by a heinous crime, then fade away over time. That is not the case now, however, with many groups still growing in membership.
The city’s crime problem is not just a law enforcement problem. It’s a problem for everyone, since everyone is affected. Neighborhood Watch groups are the residents’ response to the call to action. Whether formally — through organized groups — or informally — with neighbors simply looking out for neighbors — we are safer when we are part of the solution.
A rose to the Mississippi House of Representatives for passing a bill that would require motorists to have proof of insurance before they are issued a license tag. While auto insurance is already required, all too often, there are no real consequences for violating that requirement short of being ticketed. According to the Insurance Research Council, almost one in four Mississippi drivers don’t carry auto insurance. This bill should reduce the number of uninsured motorists.
A rose to the Mississippi State University basketball program. Saturday the MSU men defeated Texas A&M 67-59. That makes the Dogs 3-1 in SEC play. As for the women’s team, they are 18-0 and ranked fourth in the nation. A win over Ole Miss Monday evening will get the women the best start in school history. To this we say, “Wow!” and “Go Dogs!”
A rose to Anna Kate O’Brien of New Hope High School. Although O’Brien’s career has yet to start, she has already become part of Mississippi University for Women athletic folklore by becoming the first student-athlete to commit the university after a 14-year hiatus from intercollegiate sports.
The New Hope senior softball player will the first of many as the W resumes its sports program. Softball, baseball, volleyball, men’s soccer, and men’s and women’s cross-country will start in the 2017-18 school year. Congratulations to O’Brien and The W for this milestone moment.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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