SIKESTON TRIES TO EVEN THE STAKES IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST THE CRIMINALS

The city of Sikeston is fighting crime both on the streets and at the Department of Public Safety headquarters.

The city has decided to boost salaries for starting public safety officers and expand its force. The various personnel moves should advance the number of public safety officers to 50 from 31.

In addition, a new pay plan approved by the council this week will raise starting salaries to $19,350 on Jan. 8, from the current $16,575. That puts Sikeston salaries more in line with neighboring departments, and should go a long way to retaining new officers. The city hired six officers in August only to lose six other officers to better-paying jobs in October.

The decision wasn't easy. The money was shifted from other essential city services. But city officials deserve praise for giving the public safety department the manpower it needs. An expanded, better paid force should go a long way in the city's escalating war on gangs and illegal drugs.