Greater Port Arthur folks may be rattled by the recent rash of homicides in this area — five in January alone, as much as the total for all of 2017.

Some arrests have been made, other suspects identified, and the hunt is on for bringing people to justice. None of that replaces the victims whose lives have been lost and closed criminal cases provide only limited solace to families.

But as a society, the pursuit of sure justice is what we have left to us. It restores our sense of right and wrong; it keeps law-abiding people safer.

This might provide some small comfort to those who have been frightened by the outbreak of violence: Criminals aren’t usually very good at what they do. That’s why they have long “rap sheets”; they keep getting caught. They make bad decisions.

Think criminals are invincible? How about this one, accused this week of aggravated robbery of a convenience store in Beaumont: He showed up with a rifle — very noticeable to the public, and a lot of firepower to overtake an unarmed clerk — then fled the scene in flip flips, not the footwear of choice when attempting a fast getaway. A second, similar and perhaps related incident occurred later in the week; the weapon-bearing suspect was dressed similarly and now has his face distributed on the Internet via a store camera. Look for him in a courtroom soon.

In Port Arthur, one homicide case suspect, James Joseph Levron, 25, has been collared in the shooting death that started the unlikely run of violence here last week. In that case, the victim’s automobile, which the victim was driving after he was shot, crossed into an opposite lane and triggered a five-vehicle wreck, injuring more innocent people. Bond is set at $500,000 for Levron.

A second suspect in that shooting, David Broadus, appears to be a friend of Levron’s who has been ID’d. His criminal record and image have been widely distributed on the Internet, although local law enforcement has been tight-lipped about it. His bond will be $500,000.

A suspect in a murder in Sabine Pass also was taken into custody this week following his reported participation in a second, unrelated but serious crime. More suspects are sought.

None of that means suspects will be caught today or tomorrow but it likely means they will be caught someday, perhaps soon. Port Arthur Police Chief Patrick Melvin says people who’ve seen something or know something about these four most recent homicides should contact authorities to share information. That’s the right thing to do.

We hope, too, that all law enforcement will seek the public’s help by effectively distributing information on suspects, including images, in timely fashion.

Everyone — well, almost everyone —wants justice .