GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: VIGILANTE?

by Webmaster March 22, 2012

I’m a citizen who patrols the community. Obviously I support this public safety concept.
Police aren’t the only ones who should walk ( or ride ) the streets on the alert for trouble. Nobody should act like he’s above the law while doing so.
George Zimmerman, Florida neighborhood watch captain-cum-possible murder suspect also believes in citizens patrol. State and federal officials will determine if his beliefs include homicide.
News accounts of his fatal shooting of Black teenager Trayvon Martin should cause citizen patrollers to pause and seriously assess what we do.
We aren’t police officers and, unlike bad cops, are easily liable for civil and criminal offenses. Stopping people on the street without evidence of crime is outside our scope. Suspicions should be either documented or reported to police for investigation.
That issue troubles me- greatly.
Playing police officer ( if that’s what Zimmerman was doing ) undermines the citizens patrol concept.
We’re supposed to be vigilant not vigilantes. Confronting people and shooting them if we’re on the confrontation’s losing end isn’t what citizens patrol represents.
George Zimmerman is strongly suspected of acting like a vigilante; has placed an entire movement in a bad light and inflamed already lit racial tensions to boot.
Just what good citizens needed.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT BLACK promotes creative crime prevention, citizens patrol included. Good Citizens Supporting Good Cops is his group. (504) 214-3082. http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/wiki/captain-black/

7 comments

mememadeflesh March 29, 2012 at 10:46 pm

But…doesn’t some of your comrades carry a gun while they’re on patrol? What happens when THEY are on the losing end of a confrontation?

captainblack March 29, 2012 at 10:55 pm

If one of them pulls a ” Zimmerman ” and starts an altercation with someone a 911 operator said leave alone until police arrive, comrades in this position would get what they deserved. Without proof of wrong doing confronting someone makes YOU the trouble maker!

mememadeflesh March 30, 2012 at 1:49 am

Thanks for your honest response, Capt. Black, and I hope your gun-carrying comrades take heed. It’s just that carrying a lethal weapon on a pro-active stance (such as on a patrol) doesn’t sit well with me. As a means of defense (like if you’re minding your own business or at home when suddenly you’re attacked), I get. Having non-lethal deterrents, I get (I don’t expect any of you to be out there without some form of protection). But a gun has only one purpose and that is to kill. Now some of you might protest that the alleged perp could also have a gun and you’re just fighting fire with fire. But isn’t that what a vigilante, not a superhero, might say? We can all agree that the RLSH is not the police, the designated proper authorities (yes, yes, take that with a grain of salt, but the GENERAL CONSENSUS is…). Isn’t it RLSH’s purpose to diffuse a hostile situation peacefully if possible or bring it up to the proper authorities if not, and not escalate it to dangerous levels (I just picture a raging gun battle in the middle of the street after a very minor dispute)? In my opinion, the RLSH movement is promote shining examples of Humanity who favors justice over execution despite all the knocks that come along with it-death (God forbid *knocks on wood*) being a MAJOR knock. This is not directed at you, Capt. Black, as I find your personal mission to spread literacy very commendable. Rather, this is to those RLSHs who acknowledged carrying firearms on their patrols. Speaking of which…
Please refrain from using the phrase “pulling a [insert name here]”. I just got done reading one of your comrades’ blogs and he came off as being petty, vindictive, and not caring about maintaining a sense of community. He seemed to propped himself up by putting someone down. I thought a super hero was above that. Instead, state what the individual did without calling out the individual. Shining examples of Humanity, remember?
Tl;dr: Guns kill. Superheroes shouldn’t.

Knight-Hood April 1, 2012 at 11:09 am

In today’s world between rubber bullets, tasers, stun guns, pepper spray, etc. there is no excuse for anyone killing another human being. All of these methods will provide adequate protection for anyone. But your most important defense is your brain. Never put yourself in a situation that you may have to fight your way out of. Always call the police. They are the ones with the training, manpower and authority to handle violent situations. The only time any citizen should get directly involved is when you see a violent situation occuring right in front of you and there is no time to call the police. Example; In my 22 years as a masked crusader I have only once had to take action to help someone. It was 1990 at Mirror Lake Park just after midnight. I saw 4 punks pushing around a homeless man. I pulled out my pistol and fired twice in the air shouting for them to leave him alone. (I used only blanks in those days. Today I carry rubber bullets) They ran off. It worked but could have gone horribly wrong. They might have pulled out a gun and shot me dead, but if you’re not willing to risk your life to save another’s you’ve no business out on the streets. I would never use a gun to defend myself, only to save another’s life. I do worry about many of today’s young rlsh’s who seem to think being one is all about “kicking ass”. Especially the ones who confront drug dealers. Never confront a criminal. If you do you will be responsiblefor whatever happens if you provoke them to attack you. Even worse are those who use “baiting” as a crime fighting method. I don’t approve of that tactic even the police use it. The term “sting”

Knight-Hood April 1, 2012 at 11:17 am

(sorry I wasn’t finished and it posted for some reason) The term sting comes from con artistry and is deceptive. Both confronting and baiting criminals can provoke them into becoming violent when no violence would otherwise have occcurred. So report criminal activity, record it, be the eyes and ears of the police, but do nothing to make yourself a George Zimmerman. Do not be fooled into thinking he is going to get away with murder either. I am certain that he will be arrested and convicted of murder eventually. I for one am relieved he wasn’t wearing a mask or cape when he committed this violent crime. As it is reprocussions from his actions may end up in our lap anyway.
Be careful out there
Knight-Hood

The Keeper April 11, 2012 at 8:55 pm

Captain Black,
Once again you have a very informative, and interesting article here. As a new comer to this movement, I find you to be a very positive – yet down to earth voice in this community. Keep up the fantastic work.

captainblack April 11, 2012 at 9:21 pm

You’re too kind. Just doing what I am!