I've got to say that I am happy that we have taken a step in the right direction by admitting we have a gang problem in Chattanooga; however, I am frustrated by the lack of response from the mayor's office, the sheriff's department, but especially the Chattanooga police department. It was refreshing to hear Sheriff Long recognize the problem recently, but honestly, his department isn't usually responsible for patrolling the problem areas in town.

I live in the Brainerd area with my family. For those of us that live in this part of town, we realize that we have a diverse and interesting mix of people. For those of us that are relatively peaceful, it is disheartening to see the area run over by "gangsta thug" teenagers from Brainerd High School (if they attend school at all). As I was driving home this evening, I noticed the word "Bloods" spray painted in red on a side street off of North Moore Road. As I drive down my street every day, I see apathetic hoodlums standing in the street, wearing very bright colors that are notoriously associated with gangs. Obviously they are either a part of a gang or don't mind being associated with one.

I get frightened at the thought of my stay-at-home wife being at home with our six-month-old son with these people on our own streets. I shouldn't have to feel this way about my own neighborhood.

So what do we do now? Do we just admit there is a problem in Chattanooga and do nothing? Do we spend our time talking about community education and lifting these poor, pitiful thugs out of their lifestyle? My suggestion is that our local police departments and courts get down to some good old fashioned skull thumping by doing some legitimately decent patrols and by cracking down on sentencing on these people when they eventually end up in the court system. Community education is nice, but ultimately we've got to provide some serious consequences for this kind of behavior.

On a final note, I would like to say that the problem specific to the Brainerd area would probably ease up a little bit if the Chattanooga Police department patrols would spend a little less time in the Salvation Army parking lot talking to each other, and a little less time stuffing their faces at Krispy Kreme and start doing some serious patrols on our side streets in the Brainerd Area.

Folks, slowly but surely Chattanooga is becoming a scarier place to live in than I ever would have imagined.

M Lyons
beevco@juno.com