A story in last Tuesday's STAR demonstrated just how fruitful cooperation between citizens and police can be in the fight against crime.

In the article, Deputy Superintendent Patrick Murdock, the head of operations in Clarendon, said they were having some success in dealing with gang violence in that part of the island.

According to the DSP, many gang members from the parish have been taken into custody because residents passed on important information to them.

He said also that if residents continued to play their part in ridding the communities of crime, then there would be a reduction in crime in the parish.

This statement is not only true for residents of Clarendon, but residents all over Jamaica. Many communities, especially in the Corporate Area, are facing a serious crime problem.

The fight is made even more difficult for cops, who oftentimes, do not have the support of the residents.

Yes, the citizens are afraid that gunmen will kill them if they speak about what happened, however, they are also at risk of being killed, even when they remain silent.

Having seen the benefits so far in Clarendon, where residents have refused to remain quiet, other residents should consider doing the same.

Crime is everybody's business and if residents fail to deal with the issues at hand, then the problem is sure to worsen and even more people will die. So we urge more Jamaicans, who have valuable information, to share it with the police. If they fear for their lives, then they should use the anonymous mediums, but they must not remain silent and pay with their lives.