At the rate which crimes are ripping through communities these days, be it rich or poor, uptown or downtown, it really would not hurt to be your neighbour's keeper. Even if that meant just knowing their names, phone number and being able to give them a call in time of help or need.

Reading through the article in THE STAR last week when the store manager of Xtrás was murdered, the sad section of the article was where it stated that neighbours observed the gunmen acting suspiciously, some 10 minutes before the murder, but no one called the police.

Now, in retrospect, we are pretty sure some of them must be thinking to themselves, "What if I had made that call?"

People need to rally together, now more than any other time, to combat criminal elements. It is the logical thing to do because the criminals are doing the same. They are looking out for each other's interest, forming units to perfectly put into effect their sick plots.

Why should neighbours not do the same? If not for the cause of friendship, then at least do it for the cause of the protection of your life, your family and your property.

Just a phone call may make the difference between life and death. So, we may have lost a life from that sad turn of event, but let's not lose the lesson. Let's start exchanging those numbers, and start socialising with your neighbours.