EDITORIAL: Bringing PRIDE back to Macon, one letter at a time
On Friday, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis unveiled a new initiative called PRIDE: Presence, Reaction, Interaction, Deterrence and Excellence. It's something he stresses every day, but this is not just a law enforcement thing. It's a way of thinking. The symbol of this initiative is an American mountain lion named Leo. A good choice, because the basis of a modern mountain lion's existence, according to National Geographic, is the pride or family. We should all know how tenacious and protective a lion can be. Leo is no pushover.
And that's what the sheriff would like to see more of in Macon-Bibb, more residents thinking about community and how their everyday actions impact their family and the wider community. He's done his research. He's walked the streets of neighborhoods and will continue to do so. He's met with churches and community groups and he's inviting everyone to get involved in the effort. It will take community pride to maintain the momentum to eradicate blight because without it, no matter what's fixed up, it will soon become blighted again.
What the sheriff is talking about isn't a physical condition at all. It's a change in mind set. It's about inspiring hope in forgotten areas. He's talking about having pride in our total community from our front yards to our churches and schools and what we do inside those buildings. How we look out for one another and care for each another and expect excellence rather than accepting mediocrity. People with pride don't litter. They don't run red lights when in a hurry. They look out for neighbors and they watch out for children — their own and others.
What can each of us do to further the conversation the sheriff's office has now started? Anyone with ideas or would like to participate can contact Deputy Linda Howard at 478-621-5624 or email her at lhoward2@maconbibb.us.
This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 9:10 PM with the headline "EDITORIAL: Bringing PRIDE back to Macon, one letter at a time ."