A comment in a recent Rants and Raves column on this page rings loud and clear.

It was about the public getting more involved in fighting crime in our communities.

Indeed we routinely have reports in our crime stories of “shots being fired.” Sometimes there are arrests. Sometimes not.

The ranter pointed out that likely there are people out there who have information that could lead to arrests.

Another ranter noted that it’s probably no small miracle with all the gunfire reported that we don’t have more fatalities than we do.

Just recently our police reported that a house and car were riddled with bullets and the theory is that someone was being shot at and the house and car just got in the way.

And of course, as we know from several cases in recent history, people got in the way.

We all have a vested interest in public safety. We all have a responsibility to help law enforcement if at all possible. That does not imply vigilantism. Rather it means we should be observant, vigilant to the goings on in our communities, concerned for our neighbors and willing to report to authorities events that may seem suspicious or out of the ordinary. Sometimes our efforts may not lead to an arrest. Yet there may be those times when that one bit of information is the missing piece of the puzzle.

Our law enforcement agencies face formidable challenges each day. In that process, they sometimes put themselves in harm’s way.

Let’s resolve to do all we can to help them protect us. Be aware of what’s going on in your community. Listen to what people say. Don’t get discouraged if your piece of information doesn’t lead to an immediate arrest.

Get involved!