Young folks in the habit of meeting on Provo’s West Center Street at night have a right to be downtown – but the people have the right of to be free of violence, objectionable language, and the potential threat of law-breaking. Thus the crackdown last week by the Provo Police Department wasn’t only timely – it was a must. More than 60 persons were arrested for alleged violations..which gives an idea of the magnitude of the problem. Some knives, machetes, and other potential weapons were confiscated. The problem of young people “dragging” Center Street has been around for years. In more recent times the congregating by juveniles and adults has increased. A lot of the young people come simply to find out ”what’s going on.’ Police say the majority are not trouble makers. But some see fit to bring alcohol or drugs and even come prepared for trouble with weapons in their cars. The current West Center difficulty – which flared into violence, with racial overtones nearly two weeks ago – has been building up all summer, one officer said. “Alcohol starts talking and acting. Rumors get started. A push turns into a shove and a shove into a punch and soon there’s real trouble.” In this setting many people with legitimate business downtown, have complained. The statement of one man, “I w0uldn’t be caught taking my wife and family down there without the protection of my car,” seems to echo what many have felt. Police say the real problem comes mainly between 10:30 p.m. and 2 am., which ought to tell parents something by way of the need to know where their young people are at nights. A suggestion has been made that more supervised recreation be provided at night. But, say police, the type of person who makes trouble doesn’t want to be supervised under socially – acceptable conditions. Provo’s mayor and commission, as well as police, have been monitoring the situation and are deeply concerned. Indeed, the city commissioners have applied for federal money to help beef up enforcement. And they were scheduled today to consi er passing an ordinance making Center Street a parking mall instead of a through street to facilitate better control. BYU Security provided some help in last Friday’s crackdown. As we see it, inter – law enforcement agency cooperation throughout the county might well be appropriate because in a real sense the problem is area-wide. The majority of youth arrested on West Center come from towns in Central Utah other than Provo, and even from more distant counties, police say. Law agencies in this county have worked together in a spirit of cooperation many times in the past. County – wide focus in this program ought to be at least considered. No city can be expected to stand by and see one of its streets turned into a place of potential trouble wherein citizens cannot feel free to come and go in peace and without fear. ‘ The Herald urges an aggressive follow-up on the good start made by police in the crackdovnm to date. Everyone has a stake in keeping our communities orderly and peaceful. The challenge of finding a permanent solution in this case should receive the thoughtful “team effort” consideration of the young people themselves, parents, law enforce ment agencies, the courts, and the churches and schools.