By Rupert Howell
Panola County Sheriff Dennis Darby told members of  a local group, “Something’s working” noting that drug gang captains have been arrested and the lower rung dealers, “don’t know what to do.”

Darby credited prayer and “Christian people coming together,” when he spoke to the group STOP (Stop The Ongoing Problem), a county-wide organization formed after gang violence led to a death earlier this year.

The group has been meeting weekly in different locations throughout the county meeting last Saturday at Macedonia-Concord Community Center west of Batesville.

Darby has met with the group on several occasions and Saturday emphasized that people “know your neighborhood.”

“Nobody knows what’s going on in a neighborhood more than those who live there,” Darby said and added, “We’re getting some good stuff (information from citizens) right now, information fed back to us.”

Darby had earlier noted that criminals don’t know how to deal with citizens calling and reporting crime in their neighborhood. “They hate it,” he emphasized.

STOP chairman John Morris took the floor following Darby’s report and reminded members that the group’s goal was to have an affect on young people’s lives before Sheriff Darby has to arrest them.

The group has thrown support behind youth related events this Saturday while trying to offer fun through creative energy and Christian experiences as schools begin their annual spring break week.

Saturday afternoon in Sardis a rally and parade will begin at the former Boys and Girls Club site near the library, march down Main Street to West Lee then to 51 Highway where the parade will take a southerly route to the ball field.

Activities include refreshments, Christian rap, cheerleaders, testimonials, T-shirts, banners and also members of the Christian Motorcycle Association.

Another event in Sardis will begin at  9 a.m. at the Sardis Educational Building and will involve lunch and two breakout sessions.

Earlier that day in Batesville Pastor Chris Townsend’s group will come together in teams and move about the community asking people to become more involved with community and children.

Participants are invited to join any and all of the rallies intended to point children and parents away from violence and toward Christian principles.

So far the STOP organization has sponsored a youth rally, passed out T-shirts, sponsored a prayer vigil and met with citizens in different communities throughout Panola County in its effort to stop the ongoing problem of violence.

The next meeting is slated for Saturday, March 17 at 9 a.m. at the Panola County Courthouse in Batesville.