Tips work: Example today of what might be first step in ending crime

Who knows what the motivation might be -- or if there was another reason someone turned in the name of a man wanted in an attempted murder.

Either way, the point should be made, that stopping the number of murders, drug arrests and other heinous offenses in some areas of this city just might lie in the hands of ordinary citizens.

Here's how it works: You tip off police when you know someone who is wanted by the law is in your neighborhood. You do it anonymously if you must. And voila, you have cleaned up your neighborhood just a little bit.

People often think it is too risky to report criminal activity. Look at one of our recent criminal trials, witnesses were very reluctant to speak. They were scared of the possible repercussions.

But the truth is that it is even more dangerous not to take a stand against crime in your neighborhood.

What if your child, mother, father, sister or brother were to be in the wrong place at the wrong time -- and became the victim of someone you could have helped keep off the street?

A community can take back its streets.

All it takes is courage, conviction and a determine that the bad guys are not going to win.

Published in Editorials on July 10, 2012 11:17 AM