FILE - This file photo from Sept. 17, 2019 shows signs hanging on a fence surrounding the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Leaders of the Pittsburgh synagogue where worshippers were fatally shot last year want to rebuild and renovate the building, turning it into what they hope will be a “center for Jewish life in the United StatesÓ and a symbol against hatred. On Friday, Oct. 18, 2019 they outlined their vision for the Tree of Life building, where three congregations _ Tree of Life, Dor Hadash and New Light _ had gathered on Oct. 27, 2018. A gunman opened fire, killing 11 people and wounding seven.

A comment at a recent Cranberry Township meeting holds particular relevance this week.

Jerry Andree, township manager, notified residents that he often tells Chief of Police Kevin Meyer, “We have 32,000 police officers — that’s all of you.”

The comment was made during the township’s Coffee and Conversation program in reference to the evening’s theme: “See Something, Say Something.” Andree stressed the importance of residents contacting police if they see something suspicious.

This notion is well emphasized by the anniversary of a horrific event that occurred a year ago in Pittsburgh, and by a national report on how authorities have since prevented similar tragedies.

On Oct. 27, 2018, Robert Bowers allegedly opened fire in the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill, killing 11 people and injuring six others.

The Associated Press reported this week that 12 planned anti-Semitic attacks across the United States in the wake of the Tree of Life shooting were discovered and prevented.

On the one hand, it’s horrifying to learn such attacks were planned. On the other, it’s encouraging that authorities learned of the threats in advance and prevented lives from being lost.

It makes Andree’s comment about residents acting as police officers — by remaining vigilant and keeping their eyes open for warning signs in their communities — ring all the more true.

This year has seen threats in Butler County — including several to schools — but also the launch of Safe2Say Something, a system that allows students, teachers and administrators to report possible threats to authorities.

Most people don’t want to harass others going about their business, but it’s important to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.

Bob Winters, a security adviser for the Department of Homeland Security’s Pittsburgh district, shared a story during the Cranberry meeting about a man acting strangely in a Beaver County movie theater.

An off-duty police officer was asked to “check out” the man, whose trench coat was discovered to be hiding weapons, rope and duct tape.

In this instance, it’s good that someone spoke out.

It’s been a year since the Tree of Life shooting, and it’s an anniversary that’s painful to remember, but important not to forget. People filled with violent hatred will often find a way to cause harm, regardless of precautions to prevent such instances.

But this week’s anniversary is a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant in being the eyes and ears of one’s community.