As commanding officer for the Westmoreland Police Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Othneil Dobson recently celebrated the continuing decline in murders, he alluded to an aspect that is often neglected but is extremely important.

Addressing justices of the peace (JPs) in Negril, he mentioned the need for the people of Westmoreland and wider Jamaica to be kept aware of ongoing successes in the fight against crime.

That’s a role journalists in traditional and new-age media need to always bear in mind: That amid the constant flow of dishearteningly bad news, good news — such as Jamaica’s falling crime rate — must be highlighted at every opportunity.

It’s the professional thing, but also the effect of good news on a nation’s morale should never be underestimated.

In the case of Westmoreland, SSP Dobson tells us that to date the parish has recorded 23 murders, compared to 39 for all of last year. That’s in a parish once considered among the centres of runaway crime in this country with up to 148 murders in a single year.

The downward trend in Westmoreland reflects the story all across Jamaica — that our dedicated security forces have criminals on the run.

Latest police figures suggest that up to October 24, the number of murders across the country was 439 compared to 570 for the similar period last year.

Like everywhere else, police in Westmoreland deserve the highest praise and, as SSP Dobson said, people need to know that crime is being measurably brought under control. It builds public confidence.

From this newspaper’s perspective, if, as has been promised, there is movement towards greater accountability and transparency through eventual use of body-worn cameras by police as an essential element, we expect that public trust will reach unprecedented levels.

We believe SSP Dobson deserves applause for explaining to Westmoreland JPs that for the gains to be sustained, they as community leaders, as well as local citizenry have essential roles to play.

“We need you not just to sign the warrants, not just to assist [police] with other processes, but when…problems come in the communities, to try to do that first step. Carry the parties together and try to address the issue,” SSP Dobson said, noting that “a lot of the times, just a few words” makes a big difference.

For while criminal gangs remain problematic, Jamaicans are well aware that localised, personal issues, including land disputes and broken relationships, are at the heart of much that turns tragic.

“Neighbours find it hard to work with their neighbours. Family members find it hard. Partners find it hard to separate when it’s over…” he lamented.

The Westmoreland police commander also urged community leaders to do their part in building and strengthening local organisations, including citizens’ groups, police youth clubs, and neighbourhood watches.

His plans for homework centres for children throughout Westmoreland involving police partnerships with business leaders and community groups will help to build that much-needed public confidence and trust.

According to SSP Dobson a container given by corporate sponsors was on target to become a homework centre in Negril. Likewise, two such were in immediate plans for Frome and Little London, and “we we want to spread that right across the parish”.

That’s the way to go, we say.