THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
TRAGIC LOSS - WEST MEMPHIS DEATHS POSE A CHALLENGE
Date: May 8, 1993
Section: Viewpoint
Page: A12
Memo: editorial
Edition: Final
THE MIND wants to shut out the scene of three young boys found in a West Memphis ditch who were victims of some deranged killer. But it can't. It is difficult to comprehend how a warm spring afternoon of fun on bicycles can come to such a tragic end for a trio of carefree 8-year-old, second-grade buddies. It is absolutely no comfort to know that this sort of thing has happened before, at other times, in other places.
What on Earth can a community of caring people do in such circumstances? Grieve along with the crushed parents and friends of Steve Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore, certainly. Those families need to know that others care, and that the thoughts and prayers of many strangers are focused on their needs.
Special counselors meanwhile are helping schoolmates at Weaver Elementary School cope with the tragedy.
Immediate neighbors need also to search their minds for any shred of information that might help police solve this puzzling case. Travelers along Interstate 40 in the area of Ten Mile Bayou across from Southland Greyhound Park in the late afternoon or early evening Wednesday, when the boys were last seen, or truckers who were using a nearby wash facility might be able to help.
The bound bodies were found submerged in the ditch Thursday afternoon.
Alertness to unusual activity - the hallmark of neighborhood watch programs - can help solve crimes as well as help prevent them.
As word of a tragedy like this spreads, individuals and communities tend to redouble security efforts. Parents become especially watchful.
It is always sensible to take precautions, but of course there is a limit to what can be done. It should not be necessary to make yourself a prisoner in your own home.
Memphis itself has been deeply concerned about violent crime in recent weeks. Mayor Herenton wants to put additional police officers on the streets. Officials are talking about new security measures at the City Hall building. Courts here and elsewhere have had to tighten security.
Many Memphians have been particularly alarmed by several shootings on school grounds. A broad-based task force has recommended to the Memphis Board of Education a number of steps to deal with school violence of all kinds, and those are under consideration.
AS MEMPHIANS grapple with these frustrating problems, they share the anguish of those across the river who have suffered such great loss.
Whatever resources might be needed to help law enforcement officers piece together the events that led up to the shocking deaths of those three young pals in West Memphis, to discover who was responsible and to bring about a conviction, must be made available.
Rest assured, thousands will be pulling for a break in this case.
Document Number: 00128028
All content herein is (c) 1993 The Commercial Appeal
TRAGIC LOSS - WEST MEMPHIS DEATHS POSE A CHALLENGE
Date: May 8, 1993
Section: Viewpoint
Page: A12
Memo: editorial
Edition: Final
THE MIND wants to shut out the scene of three young boys found in a West Memphis ditch who were victims of some deranged killer. But it can't. It is difficult to comprehend how a warm spring afternoon of fun on bicycles can come to such a tragic end for a trio of carefree 8-year-old, second-grade buddies. It is absolutely no comfort to know that this sort of thing has happened before, at other times, in other places.
What on Earth can a community of caring people do in such circumstances? Grieve along with the crushed parents and friends of Steve Branch, Christopher Byers and Michael Moore, certainly. Those families need to know that others care, and that the thoughts and prayers of many strangers are focused on their needs.
Special counselors meanwhile are helping schoolmates at Weaver Elementary School cope with the tragedy.
Immediate neighbors need also to search their minds for any shred of information that might help police solve this puzzling case. Travelers along Interstate 40 in the area of Ten Mile Bayou across from Southland Greyhound Park in the late afternoon or early evening Wednesday, when the boys were last seen, or truckers who were using a nearby wash facility might be able to help.
The bound bodies were found submerged in the ditch Thursday afternoon.
Alertness to unusual activity - the hallmark of neighborhood watch programs - can help solve crimes as well as help prevent them.
As word of a tragedy like this spreads, individuals and communities tend to redouble security efforts. Parents become especially watchful.
It is always sensible to take precautions, but of course there is a limit to what can be done. It should not be necessary to make yourself a prisoner in your own home.
Memphis itself has been deeply concerned about violent crime in recent weeks. Mayor Herenton wants to put additional police officers on the streets. Officials are talking about new security measures at the City Hall building. Courts here and elsewhere have had to tighten security.
Many Memphians have been particularly alarmed by several shootings on school grounds. A broad-based task force has recommended to the Memphis Board of Education a number of steps to deal with school violence of all kinds, and those are under consideration.
AS MEMPHIANS grapple with these frustrating problems, they share the anguish of those across the river who have suffered such great loss.
Whatever resources might be needed to help law enforcement officers piece together the events that led up to the shocking deaths of those three young pals in West Memphis, to discover who was responsible and to bring about a conviction, must be made available.
Rest assured, thousands will be pulling for a break in this case.
Document Number: 00128028
All content herein is (c) 1993 The Commercial Appeal
