Cops and robbers, drugs and burglaries — it’s what everyone’s talking about. Or more precisely, it’s what everyone has been talking about, and not just over the past few months but for more than a year.

The Record was writing about ongoing burglaries at this time in 2013, and yet this week saw the first public meeting on South Whidbey specifically devoted to the topic and its link to increased drug use. Organizers say they felt it was “the right time,” but it seems more accurate to say, “it was about time.”

Why did it take so long to organize a meeting? Why hasn’t more been done? Why haven’t police caught the bad guys? How hard can it be to make a few arrests?

Such questions are on the lips and minds of many, myself included. I was issued a difficult to justify speeding ticket a few weeks ago and I found myself grumbling to friends and family that perhaps cops’ time would be better spent hunting the man who robbed Wells Fargo in Clinton earlier this month than trying to catch speeders.

I suppose my irritation is understandable, and wanting to feel safe is as reasonable as expecting results from law enforcement. But, in truth, my scorn is unwarranted, unfair and certainly isn’t useful.

My expectation is that a “CSI Miami” guy with sunglasses will show up, and with a pair of tweezers and a magnifying glass, make grand conclusions and solve the case. In reality, it’s a bit trickier than that.

Also, and more importantly, robberies and burglaries are but a symptom of what’s really happening. Increased drug use may not be solely to blame, but it’s a heavy factor to be sure, and there are no handcuffs that fit the smoke of addiction. This is a foe beyond police, one that we as a community must look to solve.

Perhaps the questions we should be asking ourselves re what can I do to be a better, more watchful neighbor? Am I reporting suspicious activity, or just complaining? Where is my son, and am I being the best parent I can be? How can I make my community better?

Action is a verb, at least it should be, and it starts with me. Police are an easy target for my frustration and fear, but they don’t deserve the blame for what’s happening in my community. What they deserve is my support, my vigilance and my action.