Crime is rising in Jacksonville and liberals are pointing their fingers in the wrong direction.

The mayor, sheriff and state attorney met with News4Jax recently and explained that they are doing what they can.

But the city is in line with a nationwide trend.

While the head of a liberal organization called the Northside Coalition blamed the police, the real problem lies elsewhere.

It isn’t the job of politicians.

Parents, schools and churches are among the groups that could — and should — be doing more to reduce crime.

Crimes are committed by young people, ages 18-24, for the most part.

Properly training children before then is where the biggest impact can be made.

Like education, throwing money at the problem will not improve the situation.

Poverty is not the cause of crime. There have been periods of high poverty and low crime rates.

Baseless allegations about police brutality only serve to decrease trust in the judicial system. That is not productive.

Let the police do their job. Let parents, schools and churches do theirs, which is to instill a sense of respect for the law, life and property in young people.

Grifters and liberal con men with political agendas are only trying to cash in on an unfortunate situation. If they really wanted to help they would be in the neighbors helping with youth programs and enlisting the aid of parents.

There is no unique crime problem in Jacksonville. Nor are there any magic solutions.

Time-tested remedies and strong family bonds can and will help.