The shooting July 19 of 35-year-old Ricky L. Moore by a Dayton police officer is still being investigated, but it's already clear that Moore's death has opened some long-festering wounds in the relationship between police and the community. Problems are best solved by beginning a dialogue, so we decided to solicit comments from a cross-section of people — a teen, a local businessman, a neighborhood representative and a police officer — in hopes of airing multiple perspectives. While the facts of the shooting can't be changed, something positive may emerge if all sides can be heard. Here is a snapshot of those conversations.

— Jim DeBrosse, Staff Writer

Sheila Crane

Age: 51

Residence: Mount Vernon, Dayton

Occupation: Economic development specialist/ neighborhood representative

"When you read about the police shootings — four since May — and ask yourself why, you'll also see the answer on the same page (of the newspaper). It says, 'Coping with an uncertain economy.'

"I think these things are happening because of all the factors of our failing economy. People are just angry, especially our youth. They're so angry, and I don't think they really know why.

"When I was growing up (in Dayton), we felt a sense of security knowing that a police officer was present. I'm not sure people feel that way anymore. It's so sad. I don't want to dismiss anyone's perception. There could be some reality in that for them.

"When Chief (Richard)

Biehl was sworn in, it was the next day or two that he came to meet our (neighborhood association). ... I think he's going to be very good for the city."

Vacant properties in Dayton "are a huge attraction for crime. And I think sometimes the youth in this community, when they look at all these old abandoned properties, it's difficult to feel any hope."

Community groups like Oasis Solutions "are working with police, city officials and the private sector to identify properties for renovation and demolition. It has to be a collaborative effort because the need is overwhelming."

Dan Mamula

Age: 42

Residence: Dayton

Occupation: Dayton police officer in the Fifth District

"The biggest part of our job is being able to talk to people, whether we're questioning someone downtown or just talking to a victim on the street. You have to use your verbal skills. We try to treat them in a respectful way, even when we encounter a suspect.

"We don't just drive down the street and say, 'Hey, here's a teenager. He must not be up to any good.' We respond to calls where a lot of juveniles are gathering (or) there's underage drinking, they're doing drugs or making a lot of noise. If you're young, it's after curfew and you're out with no adult supervision, I guess you wouldn't like (being questioned by police)."

To help with community relations, "I just try to get to know the people here in the Fifth District.

"We've been working with Catholic Social Services (helping them) with the influx of immigrants to the area. From the Sudan, Iraq, all different areas of the world. We've had officers donate clothing, household items and assist in finding rental properties for these people to live in.

"There are a lot of things we're doing that don't make exciting front page news, but we're out there working in the community in positive ways."

William Mitchem

Age: 37

Business location: 3047 N. Main St., Dayton

Occupation: Apprentice tattoo artist

"Basically, this is a good neighborhood, but drugs have moved in and they've moved in pretty heavy. The police are right on them. They know what's going on.

"I'm always outside, on the porch or whatever, if I'm not working. You might see a cop go up or down the street about every 20 or 30 minutes. They're doing OK, but I think they could do more.

"We call if we see fighting and shooting and things like that and they respond pretty quickly. Overall they want to interact with the neighborhood. They're nice. Everybody talks to them.

"They'll give you a break sometime if they catch you with an open container (of alcohol). Just dump it out and go about your business."

But the shooting several blocks away of Ricky Moore "seemed really excessive to me. They've got ways of doing people without using excessive force like that. Pepper spray — from 18 feet it will take somebody down. They could have tasered him. All that good stuff.

"If they step it up, just get more cruisers out there to be seen, they'll be able to handle things better."

Brandon Mooty

Age: 16

Residence: Hillview, Dayton

Occupation: Student; senior at Patterson Career Center

"I see some (police officers) doing their jobs, but a lot of them are disrespectful. I don't want to press the racial issue, but a lot of it is.

"They stop you in the street and say, 'What are you doing? Where are you going? Why are you out here?'

"They say, 'Boy. Come here, boy.' Everybody knows that's a racial slur. It's the way you say it.

"They think they deserve respect because they have a badge, but they have to earn it from me correctly.

"Show the respect. Stop harassing. And they wonder why people don't talk to them. They're harassing older folks, too, not just the young.

"I didn't even know him (Ricky Moore, who was shot and killed by a rookie police officer several blocks from Mooty's home). It's not like I'm biased. But they didn't have to shoot him and they did — twice — once in the head and in the neck. There was just no need for that.

"It's not like the first time around here, either. I don't know why they approach it the way they do."