News that 30 people have been murdered in the first week of the year has confirmed something Jamaicans already knew — that the decline in violent criminality registered over the past year and a half should not be taken for granted.

In that respect we are heartened by the speedy response from the newly appointed Minister of National Security Mr Peter Bunting as well as from the Police High Command.

As we would expect from any National Security Minister who proposes to take his job seriously, Mr Bunting met with Police Commissioner Owen Ellington and Jamaica Defence Force Chief of Defence Staff Major General Antony Anderson within hours of being sworn, to pledge his "full support" and assert his commitment to the anti-crime fight.

Jamaicans will welcome the new Minister's proclaimed intention to send "a strong message to hoodlums who seem intent on disrupting and destroying lives" and that "this administration will respond decisively to any increase in criminality".

Mr Bunting is aware, we are sure, that Jamaicans will be watching closely to see how his actions back up his words.

The minister needs no one to tell him that the goodwill currently being enjoyed by the new People's National Party (PNP) government will very quickly unravel if crime is perceived yet again to be soaring out of control.

We may argue and disagree about the real reasons but the fact is that crime figures declined substantially in the final third of the Jamaica labour Party (JLP) administration starting with the State of Emergency in mid-2010.

Damaging assessments of this government relative to the previous administration will be inevitable if the current surge in murders is not speedily stemmed.

The Police have said that the murder spike was primarily concentrated in sections of St Catherine, St Thomas, St Andrew, and Clarendon - areas which we know to be infested by criminal gang activity.

As we said back then, this newspaper regrets that the 2010 State of Emergency was not extended in a bid to weaken if not eradicate these gangs as was achieved in West Kingston and related areas.

But there's no point to crying over spilt milk. Utilising the powers available to them, the security forces must press ahead with all relevant operations aimed at the ultimate destruction of gang activity.

In their own self interest, citizens should see it as their responsibility to cooperate fully with the police as they conduct stop-and-search activities, spot checks and curfews.

Further, law abiding citizens must welcome the security forces in their communities. It is well known that criminals drift away when police and soldiers are around and thrive in their absence.

Very importantly, all Jamaicans who find themselves in a position to do so, should by whatever means available, provide the police with information that can assist in the capturing of criminals and the curtailment of crime.

Fighting crime is a job for all of us.