In a meeting with Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley the other day, he mentioned how a group of criminals thought they were above the law just because they hadn’t been caught yet.

Well, yet happened and judging by the bonds handed down, these people won’t have to worry about getting caught again any time soon if found guilty of their crimes.

To be honest, this has been a pretty bad week for drug dealers, violent criminals and thieves.

If they haven’t been getting busted on the streets they have been busy receiving pretty stiff sentences at the Dallas County Courthouse.

Sooner or later it will finally sink in that these actions will not be tolerated. Selma is known worldwide. It draws visitors from all over the globe.

The law enforcement agencies and residents who take pride in the Queen City of the Black Belt are not going to sit around and let anyone discourage out of towners from visiting.

Crime will not be eliminated in one day, one week or even one year. The efforts to remove offenders from the streets are an ongoing battle. But it is a battle people aren’t shying away from.

Our headlines for the past few days should serve as a lesson to those who make their living through illegal activity. Crime doesn’t pay. Crime will never pay.

And if you continue to commit crimes in Selma and Dallas County, you will go to jail.

Certain offenders may have been committing crimes for months, maybe even years.

But, as Riley pointed out, that doesn’t mean officers aren’t watching, collecting evidence and building a case.

Notice has been served that if you commit a crime in Selma or Dallas County there are a price to pay.

Just because you haven’t been caught yet, doesn’t mean the police won’t come knocking any day.

People in our area are sick and tired of living in fear and sick and tired of seeing crime either in their backyard or inching closer every day.

In a city that prides itself on taking a stand when a firm stand is needed, it’s only a matter of time until criminals are run out of town.