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It’s an ill-conceived, misguided notion that law enforcement officers and public officials should be the only ones concerned with public safety.

Earlier this week, on the steps of City Hall, Adams County District Attorney Tim Cotton responded in anger to a tragedy in this community. A 61-year-old man who on Veteran’s Day was painting a house and minding his own business was killed by a gunshot.

Police have yet to release a suspect, or determine where the shot was fired from.

Cotton raised a question that has been a long-standing issue with unsolved murders in the community.

Whenever there is an incident, everyone immediately looks to the police department or sheriff’s department to gather the facts about what occurred. However, “When the streets don’t talk, what facts do you expect them to gather?” Cotton asked.

By “streets,” Cotton means the inner circle of people who know something about the incident but have not reported it — whether those people are directly or indirectly involved or simply a bystander.

Perhaps those closest to the issue are fearful of retaliation. Whatever the case may be, there are ways to leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers, 888-442-5001.

What constitutes a tip worthy of calling the police or sheriff’s office?

Natchez Police Chief Cal Green said a tip could be something as simple as a gut feeling that something is off — anyone close to the victim who may have witnessed an interaction with someone who might want to do him harm or a bystander who noticed something suspicious around where the incident occurred.

While individuals should never take the law into their own hands, everyone is a mandatory reporter whenever and wherever crimes occur.

Public safety should be everyone’s concern.