Many people choose not to "get involved" when they suspect that a crime might be in progress.

But the alert neighbors in Cherry Township who helped state police quickly solve a burglary at a home on Kiester Road on July 10 not only chose to get involved but they did it in the correct way.

They didn't actually confront the burglar, which in some circumstances might have put them in danger; what they did was provide information for the police to apprehend the suspect.

In this case, it was the license plate number of the alleged getaway car, which belonged to a friend of the suspect.

The friend allegedly had gotten a cell phone call from the defendant, Robert Justin Duffield, 27, of Slippery Rock Township, asking for a ride. By the time Duffield got to the getaway car by running through woods, the neighbors already had the car's license plate number.

Just hours later, Duffield was in custody, having been apprehended at his home.

There are times when a license plate number acquired at or near a crime scene might have no relevance to the crime. In this instance it was the key evidence for a quick arrest.

The neighbors in question merit praise for how well they responded to the situation. Not only did the state police apprehend a suspect, but Duffield allegedly confessed to the crime.

Butler's downtown business district is looking good this summer, thanks in part to the new trees planted in 2003 — part of a three-phased project of the local Shade Tree Commission.But while the trees continue to be a visual asset, some minor trimming on some of the trees could improve their appearance for now and ensure that they will continue to look good for years to come.Actually, minor trimming should be on an annual agenda — if not actual trimming, then at least checking to ensure that no trimming is needed.An April 2003 article in the Butler Eagle listed the cost of that year's tree planting at about $15,000. The planting of the trees marked the end of the commission's first phase of city beautification, with $5,000 coming from Sprint, now Embarq, and $10,000 coming out of a $20,000 state grant.Trimming of the downtown trees might be an opportunity for some area tree service to donate time to demonstrate its commitment to community beautification and to show off its skill at performing such work.

It's common for communities to commit themselves to a concerted attack on potholes in the early spring and then carry out repairs from time to time later on during the warm-weather months as needs demand.Commendably, Butler did attack potholes this spring and there have been others times since when pothole repairs have taken place.However, it remains puzzling why the deep potholes of the past winter on South Wagner Avenue near to where the narrow street intersects with West Cunningham Street have been ignored this spring and summer. There are other streets, such as sections of Broad Street and West Wayne Street, that also should have gotten more attention than what they've received up to now in 2009.Regarding South Wagner, the situation suggests that whatever street inspection might have been carried out in the early spring overlooked this street. Likewise, the amount of deterioration on some parts of West Wayne and Broad testifies to the need for the city to beef up its efforts at fixing streets.This year will go on record as a year of virtually no progress on major street improvements on streets for which the city is responsible — in the downtown area as well as the adjoining neighborhoods.The war on potholes must be revived. City officials aren't spending enough time riding around to determine what problems exist.If they had been doing that, they couldn't have missed South Wagner's terrible condition. Upon encountering it, they might even have had to visit a local tire shop to buy a new tire.