In a recent page-one story in The Moultrie Observer, City Manager Pete Dillard detailed the new management of the Moultrie Police Department.

At the heart of these changes is what is called ‘open policing.’ In layman’s terms, that’s all about getting the community more involved in public safety.

Quite often in our Rants and Raves columns we hear suggestions relative to policing and public safety of our community … city and county.

A public relations office will soon open downtown on First Street where the Littleton’s shoe shop used to be. Chief Emeritus Frank Lang will man this post with the objective of bringing our community closer together in an effort to better address violence and enhance the peace and dignity of our town.

It should go without saying that we all have a vested interest in keeping our community safe.  Such actions speak to our personal safety, the protection of our property and the image of a community conducive to business and industrial expansion.

Open policing is a lot about attitude. As a public, we must realize that our police force can only do so much one-on-one with crime, but they can do much more when citizens are willing to step forward and get involved.

Hardly a crime occurs where someone doesn’t know something about it. Often this may be that crucial piece of the puzzle that can lead to an arrest and conviction.

We’ve often promoted more community involvement with local law enforcement in this column. This is a repeat of that request.

Getting involved does not mean taking on a vigilante persona. Obviously, our police are trained to do the heavy lifting. In most cases it means being aware of what’s going on in your neighborhood and keeping the police informed of what you observe … issues you feel are contrary to public safety. And at times, it’s about stopping crime before it happens.

Arming our police with information and moral support is as crucial as arming them with weapons and equipment.  Again, it’s much about attitude — embracing a concept that we all have the charge of public safety. Get to know your officers. Talk to them. Respect their duties.