While we all know the events of Sept. 11, 2001 were linked to foreign terrorists, there are individuals we share the same tiny corner of the world with everyday that bring their own brand of terror to the table.

They may not be able to fly jets into towering buildings, but they are capable of wielding of another kind of terror, that of robbing our children of their innocence.

Gangs are a problem in the Roanoke-Chowan area. Despite assistance from the state and federal levels, local law enforcement agencies have yet to fully curb their criminal activities.

While we have faith in our lawmen that they will eventually get a leg up on curbing gangs and gang-related activity, we, as adults and parents, can help make that effort easier.

To stop this problem from eroding further, we ask that adults/parents step to the plate.

When parents let their children do what they want to do, they create the very problem that leads to an interest in gangs – the need for discipline and the need to belong to something larger than themselves.

Children/teens need structure and if they’re not getting it from their parents they’ll find it somewhere else. Gangs offer that structure.

Be the parent…give your child plenty of love and acceptance, but also impose appropriate discipline or you might have to visit your child in jail or in the cemetery.

It does take a village to raise a child, but the village can do nothing if the parent does nothing.

The schools can’t raise your children. The churches can’t raise your children. The sheriff can’t raise your children.

Only you can raise your children.

Accept the responsibility for your child’s sake and for the sake of this peace-loving community.