The city of Selma has answered, and they have answered with vigor.

Criminals in this city were officially warned Monday that a unified city government will do anything and everything to cut out the inordinate amount of crime in Selma.

Mayor James Perkins Jr. and Police Chief Robert Green stood together in City Hall to announce a plan that will provide security to the citizens of Selma while hampering the efforts of criminals in this city.

In a morning-long meeting, Perkins and Green, along with Council President George Evans and council members Bennie Ruth Crenshaw and Rita Sims Franklin, went through a detailed plan devised by Green to curb the rash of theft crimes in the city.

There has been no secret that Perkins and Green have had a hard time working together in the past few months. Green was appointed Chief of Police by the city council, while Perkins asked that Green not be appointed.

During his statements on Monday, Perkins touched on previous problems between himself and the police department.

Just like any contest &045;&045; which the battle between Selma Police and criminals has become &045;&045; the details of the police department’s new initiative to stop crime could not be discussed at great length.

However, there are some parts of the initiative that Green felt could be shared.

Selma Police have created and &uot;will deploy&uot; a R.A.T. Strike Force to combat the escalation of robbers, Green said. (R.A.T. stands for Robberies And Thefts.)

After the Monday afternoon press conference, Council President Evans said something special has happened in city government.

Franklin, who chairs the public safety committee on the city council, said her constituents have been afraid of what appears to be heightened crime.

Crenshaw said she had spoken with constituents in her ward about the new plan, and already, excitement is brewing about the new security measures.

While Perkins and Green feel confident about the plan to reduce crime, both the mayor and chief urged citizens to continue helping officers by using the &uot;Secret Witness Line.&uot;

Unity among city government and the police department &045;&045; which could be key to the success of this police initiative &045;&045; is something Crenshaw said is very evident.

The number to the &uot;Secret Witness Line&uot; is 874-2194.