Now that was bold, and it was instructive!
Two events yesterday, unfolding on different sides of the same divide, delivered a powerful reminder of why unity, communication and courage still matter in the fight against crime. Together, they tell a story about law enforcement, and about the role ordinary citizens play in keeping communities safe.
On one hand, the Fiji Police Force publicly commended the bravery of a family targeted in an attempted robbery. On the other, that same family, a young household in Tacirua East, Nasinu, stood their ground during what appeared to be a robbery gone wrong, at least for the suspects. Whether driven by adrenaline, fear, anger or instinct, their resistance worked. And police have now acknowledged that the family’s actions played a critical role in preventing the crime from being carried out.
The family has since referred all queries to police, allowing investigators to do their work. What followed was a swift and coordinated response. Police confirmed yesterday that two men connected to the attempted robbery were arrested by the Southern Division Taskforce team shortly after the incident.
According to police, the suspects resisted arrest, throwing stones at officers during a confrontation that left several officers injured. Despite the resistance, police subdued the two men and took them into custody. Investigations are ongoing, but what is already clear is that timely information, quick action and cooperation between the public and police made the difference.
Police also acknowledged the family’s cooperation and the valuable information they provided, which contributed to the rapid arrests.
Beyond that, officers praised members of the wider community who shared information with investigators, reinforcing a message that cannot be repeated often enough. Public cooperation is essential to maintaining safety and security.
In effect, being on the side of the masses works.
When people communicate, rise above fear and coordinate with law enforcement, crime becomes harder to commit and easier to stop. This is not about vigilantism or taking the law into one’s own hands. It is about awareness, responsibility and the willingness to work together.
At its core, this is a numbers game. It is about ratios. How many good, law-abiding people are willing to play a role, however small, in protecting their communities, compared to the number who choose to live outside the law? When the majority stands united, crime loses its cover.
But unity does not begin on the street. It begins within each of us.
Every day, consciously or otherwise, we make choices about where we stand. Do we respect the law, or do we undermine it? Do we speak up, or look away? Do we think only of ourselves, or of our families, our neighbours, and the kind of society we want to live in?
Crime is not an abstract concept. It has real victims, real trauma and long-lasting consequences. Doing right by the law is not just about avoiding punishment. It is about protecting lives, preserving dignity and safeguarding the hopes and aspirations we hold for ourselves and our loved ones.
Yesterday’s events offer a clear lesson. When communities and police stand together, sharing information, trusting one another and acting decisively, crime can be confronted and defeated. Courage does not always wear a uniform, and safety is not delivered by institutions alone.
The fight against crime belongs to all of us. And when we choose unity over fear, and responsibility over silence, we send a clear message. This is our community, and we will protect it together!
