Legal alternatives to vigilantism

In light of some recent threads I thought that it might be a good idea to have a thread discussing some ways that we can help combat crime in our communities without going outside the law. I'll kick us off with a few ideas.

• Become the law. Either become a police officer or a local official. Use the system, it can work.
• Join a local neighborhood watch. Don't have one? Start one. Most cities have information on how to start one on their websites.

Alternatives? Inspire people.. Show, give example. Talk with people who you do not know about it, offer first aid. And try to bring joy where there is loneliness. A happy environment makes people often more open for change.

~ Aqua

As I said in the other thread: volunteer. Nothing makes as much of a difference as SHOWING UP.

Even something as simple as knitting scarves and donating them where they are needed. One time my family collected a bunch of school supplies, board games, stickers and other fun things and donated them to the women's shelter. Anything that touches another person's life in a positive way is stopping them from doing something dangerous in the future because they're desperate and alone. Letting someone know that a stranger cared AT ALL to do SOMETHING can make a huge difference.

When I was 13, someone brought me the world's ugliest stuffed animal while I was in the hospital, just having had lung surgery to slow down the cancer that was killing me. I never forgot that. Out of all of the things people did while I was sick, the trip to Disney World that I wasn't even able to stand up for, the tons of money that people dropped into buckets in gas stations, the walk-a-thons and spaghetti dinners... it's that ugly stuffed animal that sticks out the most. They couldn't do much, but they did what they could. Another woman gave me a gold bracelet 2 weeks before she herself died of cancer. I still have it.

These little things matter. It all matters. Even stuff you'd never think does. People are hurting. All they need is to know they're not alone in so many cases.

Just do /something/. Be THAT kind of vigilante. Those are the ones that make change happen.

i think that this thread is a great way to treat an idea that you disapprove of

i also agree with the examples you gave

im curious, if a neighborhood watch has the policy of direct interference with crime, does it then become a "vigilante" organization?

and if it decides that the whole city is its neighborhood?

also, that Phoenox Jones guy, what hes doing is totally legal,he mostly just tries to keep anyone from getting hurt or commiting crimes until the cops show up

A lot of departments in my area have auxiliary police which are citzens that are given training in being a good witness. They have no more authority than any normal citizen but are a very helpful because more eyes and ears helps officers identify problems faster. The next thing you can do is pay attention to the way the local District Attorney handles cases and as well as how judges sentence repeat offenders. If you don't like the way they handle things remember that when it comes time to re-elect them. While police officers are more visible because they are out among the public they are really only one part in a much larger process. Other programs to consider are your local volunteer groups like the Lions club, the Rotary Club, and the Masons guild. These groups have a positive impact on your local communities.

OB1 wrote: Im curious, if a neighborhood watch has the policy of direct interference with crime, does it then become a "vigilante" organization?

Do you know what Neighborhood Watch is?

Its a national organization...

Its not called "Neighborhood Direct Interference", lol...

Watch and call the police.... Pay attention to your neighbors homes, watch for suspicious activity, call the police...

Says the Block Captain Jestor...

i guess there could be copyright infringement issues or something, and so they might not be allowed to call themselves "neighborhood watch" if they dont follow a certain set of rules

but if the members of a neighborhood decide to watch out for each other, even to the extent of getting personally involved - would they be considered a vigilante organization?

anyone remember the guardian angels?....direct involvement, with support of law enforcement...

http://www.guardianangels.org/

they've come a long way from the fledgling group they were in the '80's

Yeah, Jestor I'm curious how well that works for you, but I'd also like to know some of the specifics on it (like what your police force looks like in comparison to ours here in the small town Pelzer ) But we can talk about that offline

I've not read the other thread Whyte Horse started, but the other one this resolution doesn't seem to resolve what he was talking about. The Neighborhood Watch we have kinda bites It's not working at all (hence my question to you Jestor ), and there isn't a want by the locals to get out and do something like Guardian Angels (they just want the police to deal with everything ...Dude these guys are afraid to exercise Castle Doctrine, and SC has a very lenient Castle Doctrine!)

Problem with Aux. Police is that it's becoming controversial recently. Local guy with the sheriff's department recently told me about a case in Texas that is looking to get rid of their Aux. Police force because the Aux. Officer discharged his weapon and it's causing a lot more legal problems than it's suppose to . We'll have too keep an eye on that if I ever get around to looking for the case.

Snowy's idea is on point, and it's what I would like to see happen here in this small town, but the only way they're going to do it is if you get the churches to act cohesively. It's something I'm considering working on here.

My Husband and I are Patriot Guard Riders. Very proud to be part of that organization. They take a stand against injustices, peacefully but with purpose. There are many great organizations to funnel that need to help.

Heck go to the animal shelter and walk the dogs, talk to the soup kitchen about serving. Those are all excellent examples of guarding/helping the community as are many others that have been suggested here.

I'm a Ham Radio operator. I also used to do Search and Rescue, both on horseback and with a dog. I'm working to build a new team here in the Northern Wisconsin Region.

Many options....