As mayhem continues to unspread across the country, it has never been more important to remind ourselves of the “new normal” that dawned in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the United States.

Part of our new normal is the principle that if one sees something even remotely suspicious, report it to authorities. It’s hardly a perfect defense against terrorism or mass atrocity, but it at least permits citizens to feel they have some ability to contribute to public safety, that they have some power in an era in which the average resident might not feel particularly empowered. And, yes, it hasn’t always worked. Identity politics and political correctness have led to some concerned citizens being wrongly persecuted. We also learned with the Broward County school shooting that just because someone reports a credible threat that the massive police and national security states are even listening.

However, if you see something, say something, remains the best advice for residents to date.

Last week’s alleged would-be bomber had all the visible signs and history of being potentially disturbed and dangerous. This past weekend’s synagogue shooter was allegedly almost stereotypical in his expressed anti-Semitism.

It’s hard to say if a multitude of calls to authorities would have led to different results, even though some apparently did express distress. This is still a relatively free country and there is only so much law enforcement can do about people being mentally disturbed or expressing hateful rhetoric. But perhaps something would have been different.

This extends to our part of the country as well. Just because we are remote, a relatively small city, and we tend to know our neighbors and the people in our community moreso than larger metro areas, doesn’t mean it can’t happen here. Minot is also home to one of the most significant U.S. military sites in the nation and is home to tens of thousands of service members. We are also just miles from a border that is not nearly as secure as the southern border. We are not immune.

Yes, the odds of a terror strike or mass casualty event are relatively small here. But do any of us want to take the risk?

If you see something, say something. For the time being, it’s the best strategy for private citizens that we have.