This maxim could also be applicable for people of any village, community and the wider society who appreciate the value of sharing interest in combating crime to help make the environment safe for all concerned.

Failure to do so often help to embolden the criminal elements and mock the justice administration system.

Reminder of this came dramatically last week in Trinidad and Tobago with the brutal multiple stabbing to death of a mother of four by a man with whom she had broken off a 14-year-old relationship because of constant physical abuse and psychological torment.

Juliette Victoria Cummings was murdered last weekend when her attacker slashed her throat while in a maxi taxi, then dragged her onto the maxi taxi stand inflicting several more stab wounds as she struggled to save her life before being left to die, almost decapitated. Her assailant disappeared into the night.

The local media reported the horror tragedy and of the police hunt for the suspected killer. However, when the police took the suspect into custody and appealed for cooperation from those who would have witnessed the barbaric manner of Cumming's death, no one came forward.

As the 'Trinidad Express' was to subsequently headlined, it was a case of a "very public murder that no one saw".

It took the sobbing pleas of the victim's 60-year-old mother, Eileen Mendoza, for those who had first-hand knowledge of the circumstances of her daughter's death to eventually influence witnesses to cooperate with the police.

Consequently, on the eve of the burial of Cummings, as her children, mother and other family members and close friends openly wept, the police were able to re-arrest the suspect they had originally taken into custody to pursue prosecution. They had earlier released him for lack of evidence.

A MOTHER’S GRATITUDE
Eileen Mendoza showed her gratitude in publicly declaring: "I feel happiness in my heart. There are still good people out there.The man who did this to my daughter is a monster..."

There are people in Georgetown, in towns and villages across this land, who can relate to experiences of how criminals, murderers and kidnappers have escaped arrest and prosecution simply because those who witnessed or had specific information failed, for one reason or the other, to cooperate with the law enforcing agencies.

During the height of the criminal rampage, and especially along certain East Coast villages, there would have been various cases of people failing to come forward to help the police to arrest those who had robbed, kid napped or, worse, murdered. This is an attitude that harms us all, in the end.

Being shocked by a murder tragedy or any serious criminal act, such as rape and kidnapping, is one thing. Failure to cooperate with the security forces is another, even when they are prepared to offer protection against threats of retaliation.

In every society, criminals thrive on the fears that paralyse inaction by neighbours, fellow villagers, folks at a social, political or any public event where brutal crimes have been committed.

Overcoming such fears and reflecting on the consequences of similar tragedies befalling one's family member, relative or close friend, could motivate cooperation with the police.

"Looking out": for one another, helping the course of justice---as happened last week in the horrific tragedy of Juliette Victoria Cummings---must be encouraged at all levels of our society.. It is a lesson for all who want to ensure that "justice is done" in a society that is committed to the rule of law.