FROM THE editors September 6, 2004 Issue

Our cities need us to be accountable

The city of Boston is facing a crisis. Violence—specifically the homicide rate—has jumped to an alarming rate, and civic leaders, churches, and law enforcement are joining forces to do something about it. Over the August 7-8 weekend, city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies fanned out across the city in a roundup of "impact players." Arrests and confiscation of some weapons have helped calm the city's fears, but there's much more to do if this tragic escalation of violence is to stop.

Our cities
are crying out for healing.
Our neighborhoods
are parched
for a "cup of cold water"
given in Christ's name.