But as Dave and I sat with a young friend in the Liberty Science Center last weekend, watching a documentary on scientists' efforts to contact life on other planets, I was tempted to run to the top of the nearest hill and shout a warning, "Don't come down here! These people are nuts!!"

In my last column, I responded to an Asbury Park Press report on drugs and violence in Asbury Park, arguing that it stopped short of exploring the deeper issues underlying the city's woes.

For example, what percent of individuals arrested for violent or drug-related crimes are successfully indicted and convicted at the county level? How many are back on the streets within days - or hours - of their arrest, and why?

What resources should federal, state, and county legislators and law enforcement agencies provide to better combat a drug trade whose roots extend well beyond our city, county, and even state borders?

What do you do when law enforcement departments act as rivals, not partners - an issue that was very much in the headlines again this week following a county-wide FBI raid?

The list goes on: I recently heard that the county - and possibly the state - are looking to expand their already hefty probation and parole departments in Asbury Park. What are the implications for our over-burdened city?

As long as the county's substantial drug trade was centered in Asbury Park, it provided a measure of relief for neighboring towns. But, with redevelopment and new attitudes taking hold, the problem is already shifting to surrounding municipalities - particularly in the wake of recent federal drug raids.

Which isn't to minimize Asbury Park's own responsibility, either at the government or individual levels. Police Director Lou Jordan is currently building a new anti-crime cooperative that will better coordinate agencies ranging from the city police and code enforcement departments to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Department and the impressive NJ State Police Teams Unit. Look for details - and the first visible results - in coming months.

Still, Asbury Park officials are scaling a slippery slope in trying to combat years of fiscal mismanagement and social problems: On the positive side, since 2001, the city has managed to eliminate a multi-million dollar deficit, balance the city budget, and even (somehow) win its first bond rating.

But there's realistically only so much that can be done until the tax benefits of redevelopment kick in.

Taxes here are already among the highest in the county, even though city hall has slashed its annual budget by 13 percent over the past three years (from $31.2 million in 2001 to $27.1 million in 2004) and raised the tax collection rate from an abysmal 80.7 percent in 2001 to an impressive 97.2 percent in 2004 (meaning that over-burdened taxpayers no longer have to subsidize the almost 20 percent of property owners who didn't pay).

And although the city hired nine new police officers in 2004, that leaves little reserve for desperately needed police equipment and additional officers, let alone equally urgent issues like neighborhood redevelopment, employment, recreation, infrastructure repairs, and more.

Because, just as it's impossible to solve Asbury Park's drug problems without outside law enforcement, judiciary and legislative assistance, it's naive to talk about eliminating crime without successfully tackling the underlying social issues that contribute to it.

Over the next few weeks, I'll describe the city's latest forays - and obstacles - in all these areas. I'll also talk about why real change can't happen without a win-win partnership between the city, its residents, the media, and outside legislators and government agencies.

And, yes, while the triCity News went slightly over the top (surprise!) in suggesting that the Press hire only city residents over the next five years, I would love to see the Press - and other county employers of any size - contact new city Human Resource Coordinator Tamara Richardson at 732-774-1143 to discuss how they might give under-employed city teens and adults a leg-up in the job market and life.

I'd also love to see the triCity News back up its call for a truly multicultural community by expanding its own voice to include the entire city - not just those hip new northside residents and downtown art innovators.

Because, unlike the triCity News or even city planner Andres Duany, I don't believe that downtown or beachfront redevelopment will automatically cause all economic boats to rise. Rather, I believe that none of these efforts will permanently succeed unless we take concrete steps now to ensure that no group is left behind.

That old, internecine back-biting may keep the space aliens at bay, but it's not working for us here on planet earth. And that means that each of us has to step up to the plate, starting at the family level.

Which brings me to the headlines that pushed me over the edge last weekend: the FBI arrests of 11 county government officials - most for accepting cash or free home repairs in exchange for promises to award public work to a certain contractor.

Given that all 11 defendants are headed for the grand jury, it would be premature to comment on any of them individually, including Asbury Park Councilman John Hamilton. And, as John himself stated three years ago when I asked to interview him for this column, "I think that everyone in town knows me by now."

At the same time, I can't accept arguments that the amount of cash allegedly accepted by the accused officials is too insignificant to matter. If that's the case, how do we convince our children that it's not okay to sell a few hundred dollars worth of dope to their friends, or to buy an illegal weapon, or to shoplift a thousand dollars of electronic equipment and clothes from Target?

We can't have it both ways.

Public officials are forced to make complicated ethical decisions almost daily. What do you do when you have only $10 and two hands, and thousands of needy people to serve?

But clearly, the acceptable answer to the question "What do you do if you're offered a bribe?" can never be "Take it if it's only a few thousand dollars and you think you can get away with it."

Everyone accused of a crime - whether it be drug-dealing or accepting a bribe - has an absolute right to defend themselves to the best of their ability.

As the court battles wind on, however, I only hope that each of these elected officials will have the moral fiber to step down from office - sooner, rather than later - in the face of irrefutable evidence of wrongdoing.

It's the least they can do for the colleagues - and constituents - they were sworn to support.