Recently in this space, we pointed to alarming reports of vigilante killings on the rise in chaotic, neighbouring Haiti.

We suggested then that: “Jamaicans should be asking themselves whether our untamed gang violence could lead to Haiti-type vigilantism here.”

Rival criminal gangs have been on the rampage in Haiti for some time, with the security forces seemingly powerless. In response, vigilante squads are fighting back against the gangs with bloody consequences.

Events here, over recent days, have highlighted the timeliness of our cautionary note to Jamaicans.

We are referring, in part, to the mob killing of several people alleged to be goat and cow thieves in St Ann, St James, and St Catherine.

Also, in the latest presumed vigilante killing last week, the head of a man described by locals as a troublemaker and wanted by police for various crimes including rape was found in a shopping bag on the Manchester/Clarendon border. The rest of his mutilated remains were found in nearby Scott’s Pass.

It must be said that, while the number of such incidents have increased recently, vigilante killings in Jamaica — often carried out by farmers who are sick, weary and tired of farm thieves — have happened from as far back as anyone can remember.

Jamaicans also know from painful experience that sometimes innocent people are mistakenly targeted in such situations.

We need look no further than May 2022, when south Manchester resident, 62 year-old Mr Chieftin Campbell — described by his neighbours, relatives, fiancée, and all who knew him as upstanding, community-conscious and honourable — was set upon in Mandeville. He later died in hospital after being rescued by police. It emerged that his assailants had mistaken him for a thief.

We readily recall also the death, in October 2021, of 43-year-old Mr Levi Chambers in Llandewey, St Thomas. He, mistaken for a child molester and abductor, was mobbed and stabbed to death.

The police invariably pledge to thoroughly investigate mob killings. However, we believe we are correct in saying such probes usually come to nothing, since potential witnesses are often themselves complicit.

Without fail, police urge citizens to desist from taking the law into their own hands, but rather work with them so that suspects can be identified and lawfully taken into custody.

This newspaper has said before, we say again, that the ideal of citizens and police working closely together is easier spoken about than done.

We are aware that it happens in communities where there are united, well-led entities including citizens’ associations, neighbourhood watch groups, youth clubs, and so forth.

Unfortunately, most communities have little or no organisation. As a result, actions by citizens in response to crises such as suspected criminal intrusion can become chaotic and irresponsible.

We say again, that ideal of locals working closely with the police and other agents of the State in an orderly manner can be best achieved when communities are proactively organised. Our political leadership and representatives, cooperating across party lines with State agencies — not least the Social Development Commission (SDC), civil society, justices of the peace, pastors, teachers, business leaders, et al — should get to it.