In the distance I could see some commotion, just others alsotaking an evening stroll was my assumption. But I quickly realizedsomething else was going on.

The erratic actions of the two young men as they sprinted acrossthe street were the first clue, and then seeing pillow cases orknap sacks bulging with items was the second. The awkward glanceover their shoulders as they disappeared into the darkness of nightheading toward the railroad tracks was the third.

I speculated to myself on what I had just seen and assumed aburglary had occurred, but at which house I was unsure. I knockedon the door of one but received no answer and found nothingsuspicious. A few calls were quickly made, but it was not until thenext day after an owner returned to his South Jackson Street homethat my suspicions were confirmed.

About the same time there was a commotion of a different sort atthe Government Complex. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen werewrapping up a regularly scheduled meeting following a lengthy andcontentious debate.

There was some anger expressed and frustration felt. One cityofficial, I am told, left early shaking his head.

What were the hotly debated issues at City Hall?

The first one was a disagreement on limiting the size of anout-building on residential property. The second involved onealderman’s demand that he be given special advance notification ofissues brought before the Board of Adjustments, since he does notread the public notices required to be published in the newspaperor the legal documents posted in City Hall.

After a long and time-consuming, contentious debate, both itemswere passed. The special notification issue awaits a mayoralveto.

Zoning ordinances are very important for communities, for thoseordinances and approved variances can affect property valuesthroughout a neighborhood. The goal of everyone is for those valuesto increase. The purpose of zoning is because one person’s desiresand tastes do not always fit those of the neighborhood aroundthem.

However, even more important for communities is that warm fuzzy ofknowing all is secure.

What happens to the value of a neighborhood when residents arefearful to leave the confines of a locked house? What happens toneighborhoods when residents feel it unsafe to take evening strollsor shop downtown?

Our southern roots are to visit with one another from our porchesand sidewalks. There is nothing like a quiet peaceful neighborhoodor downtown area to enjoy that special southern tradition. That iswhy, many years ago, the phrase “Homeseekers Paradise” was coinedfor Brookhaven.

I was shaken by the event I witnessed Tuesday night, but also I wasangered. I was even angrier when I learned the next morning aboutthe micromanaging antics in the city boardroom the nightbefore.

There is a disconnect here with our city board that I do notunderstand.

While voters are becoming fearful of their personal safety, a fewboard members appear unconcerned and more interested in their ownpersonal agendas. If one can get heated up over micromanaging thezoning board’s decisions, surely there is some room for a littlerighteous indignation about public safety!

Brookhaven has already seen a rash of armed robberies this summerwith two more just a couple of weeks ago. Since one of our seniorcitizens was gunned down in April, the problem has gotten worse -not better. And now I have personally witnessed two burglarsleaving a home they ransacked a few minutes before.

Yet, city fathers still have not acknowledged the growing crimeissue. We wonder when, or if, they will?

August is budget time. Will city leaders make the necessaryadjustments to increase police protection? Will they put publicsafety at the top of their agenda? Have they made the necessarystaff and budget adjustments to the police department sinceannexation? It appears they have not! Or will they just continuepursuing their personal agendas?

Write to Bill Jacobs at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602, or sende-mail to bjacobs@dailyleader.com.