Harry Deitz: Addressing crime the business of all

It will take more than government leaders for Reading to overcome the serious challenges it is facing with crime.

That doesn't reduce the importance of the recent crime summit or what government and law enforcement leaders still need to do.

It will take more than family involvement and improved family dynamics to raise kids who understand and follow the kinds of lifestyles and show the kind of respect that will make a community a better place in which to live.

Make no doubt: That is where it starts, and it may be the most critical component for establishing and retaining a good society.

But

Given where we are now with concerns about crime, the answers aren't as simple as family values and law enforcement. There are at least three other critical areas where groups must come together, form comprehensive plans and take action: business, education, religion.

Those groups are influential, powerful and resourceful. And, they care. That's why they must act. Those groups don't cause the problems, but they certainly can develop solutions and in the end benefit from positive results.

Business community: In less than two weeks we expect to see the updated report that Christian Leinbach, chairman of the Berks County commissioners, has promised to produce as a result of the crime summit.

We all know there isn't a lot of money available from the government to address all of our problems, including crime. That's where the business community comes in. But let's be very clear: This is not just about throwing money at a problem. Businesses in the Reading area have many strong leaders, and their knowledge and experience can be put to good use.

What will result is not only a better community but also a better workforce and a better image.

One example that was shared by Gov. Tom Corbett during the crime summit was Operation Our Town in Altoona, which was created, funded and run by some key business leaders in that community. Some of those leaders will be in Reading Feb. 21 to share their experience.

Altoona is not Reading, and no one should pretend for a moment that what worked for Altoona will work in Reading. However, it's a model that could be a starting point.

Education community: Who doesn't believe that education in one form or another is a gateway to a better life?

Beyond that, our schools are in many ways microcosms of the community at large. Many of us have heard administrators react to claims that a school has a drug problem by clarifying that it's a community problem, not a school problem. I believe that. I also believe the school is a good place to help address and fix problems.

How? Through leading by example. Making the schools safe places with positive atmospheres. Especially, making them places where opportunities exist to get ahead. In spite of recent budget constraints, most schools already do those things, but there always is room for improvement, and there always is a need for more positive reinforcement and good publicity.

Religious community: Last May, when we ran a front-page editorial calling on the mayor and community leaders to take charge and lead an initiative against crime and violence, the first phone call I received the next day was from a leader of a local church. He wanted to be involved. He wanted to help. At the time, I told him it will take the involvement of all of us and that I hoped that the core group we called on to start this process would reach out and involve this man and many others.

Of course, the seed we planted grew into a massive crime summit. Right or wrong, it's off to a good start. The churches in our area are and need to continue to be important players.

Berks County has a strong and diverse religious community. I witnessed some of that a few weeks ago when several hundred people came together for the mayor's prayer breakfast. Members of local churches also have had a positive impact already through their presence at city schools such as the Citadel, where violence was becoming almost a daily occurrence earlier this school year.

In effect, many of them are practicing what they preach by emphasizing peace.

We have written a lot about the family issues and will write much more. More will be shared about the plans that are being developed by government and law enforcement groups.

The solutions will come in the efforts all of us make in addressing these challenges.

Contact Harry Deitz: 610-371-5004 or hdeitz@readingeagle.com.

Source: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=449991

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