Community on Patrol

[newoldtech]

Obviously the Zimmerman case has caused quite a stir. Many people are trying to determine exactly what happend that night and who was to blame.

It got me thinking about the bigger picture. Who should be allowed to patrol? Should they be allowed to carry a gun? Should they be screened in any real way?

I'm all for being able to carry a gun to protect you or yours. But its different if you take it on yourself to play cop and confront others. Heres my opinion on this especially in light of what just happened. The police go through a screening process, weapons training, Physical training, as well as alot of other related training. I'm OK with someone who is looking out for his community to be patroling. But I question if they should be carrying a gun while patroling. It opens up alot of issues as to who is qualified to play cop? Should anyone be allowed to do it? Its bad enough when a cop who is fully trained mis judges a situation. But is just any Barney fife qualified? Any ideas of how you think it should be done are welcome.

[coolwhip]

Most civilians with a CPL are better trained than the police when it comes to shooting accuracy.

Anybody of legal age should be allowed to carry a concealed pistol, providing they do not have a criminal record, mental impairment, and complete a comprehensive training program on when and how to use the fire arm.

I am not a supporter of open carry.

[BACnet]

Is this thread applicable to American towns, or just Commie towns that have HOA's?

Because in an American town this would be covered under local law. In a commie town like the one Zimmerman lived in the HOA seems to have that authority.

[ControlsInMT]

Everyone should have the right to patrol their own neighborhood. Armed? Probably not, but then again if they are legally entitiled to carry why not? What truely is the difference between "patrolling" and going for a walk in your own neighborhood? Would you not report suspicious behavior either way? I know I would. And yes I would probably ask what somebody was up to if they were acting weird.

I call that being a good neighbor. Sorry if some of you don't.

[AStudent]

If you have a concealed carry then yes you can carry a weapon...if not then no.

In my opinion we need to be minding our own business...sure community watches are a great idea but some people (extremists) go way too far with the whole idea. If my neighbor sees something that they know is not right then call the police. You have no idea why someone is walking down the street, which is perfectly legal...but if you walk up and start sticking your chest out something bad can happen.

I agree with the idea of a militia but it's when people with no training start taking matters into their own hands that things go wrong. The average citizen is not trained to deal with this type of thing, and they don't have a badge...I know what you are probably thinking but having a badge does make someone less likely to assault you.

Should we watch our neighborhoods? Sure
Should we use rational thinking when doing so? Definitely
On average how many people do you think are calm and knowledgeable enough to handle the situation in the right manner? ???

[ControlsInMT]

I will take the last question AStudent...the majority are! The problem is like everything else in this country. One or two wackos can and do ruin it for all!

[infwsdm]

If you are the self appointed neighborhood watch captain and you feel it's your right to confront someone walking down the street--YOU ARE WRONG.

Anyone has the right to walk down any street without having someone confront them.....unless you want to turn the USA into a commie state!

[BACnet]

Anyone has the right to walk down any street without having someone confront them.....unless you want to turn the USA into a commie state!

It already is a commie state down there- They have HOA's.

[infwsdm]

It already is a commie state down there- They have HOA's.

They have HO's?:grin2: Oh HOA's :(

[ControlsInMT]

I know I will regret this but.....

I agree, if they are just walking down the street, they would not be considered suspiscious, would they? Now, you start looking in windows or checking car doors or climbing up to look over a fence, you will get questioned in my neck of the woods.

If that bothers you, stay on the street or sidewalk or cow path!

[tunnel_rat]

I bet they got "HOA'S" where you are too BAC. It's not a Florida or "commie" thing.......jeeeez....Has nothing to do with it. If I see someone who doesn't look like they belong around my home and family, you better bet I'm gonna check it out. I might not shoot them, but you and I weren't there that night.

[BACnet]

HOA's are a non-governmental group that tells you what you can and can't do with your own property.

Thats not something I would ever accept and it sure as hell isn't part of the America I know & love...

[AStudent]

My question is this...if someone is willing to steal in order to make a living are you really going to stop them by confronting them? Two things will result from this...you or they will be hurt, or they will tell you " Oh I'm looking for my dog " then they will move on to the next street over and do the same thing.

I'm not that big on turning people in, but in most cases that really is the best option, because this way no one gets hurt, and the person either goes to jail or is found not guilty...even though the legal system can be a crock sometimes.

With that said there are some situations that I would jump in on, say someone is being assaulted...sure that needs immediate attention and can't wait on the police...but to put your life and their life in danger over material possessions which are probably covered under insurance anyway is just absurd in my opinion.

[tunnel_rat]

HOA'S are VOLUNTARIALLY joined. You can join or leave whenever you want. It's not the PRNK. Freedom allows this.

[BACnet]

You can move into a neighborhood that has an HOA and simply choose not to join it???

One of us is confused.

[tunnel_rat]

No, if you're in the HOA, you either join, or don't buy that house.....there are borders to the HOA. Simple as that. You know before buying. I'd never join one, they tell you what color your house can be, to whether or not you can have a flagpole, to who knows what else. But you know it going in.

[Gib's Son]

No, if you're in the HOA, you either join, or don't buy that house.....there are borders to the HOA. Simple as that. You know before buying. I'd never join one, they tell you what color your house can be, to whether or not you can have a flagpole, to who knows what else. But you know it going in.

When I lived in So. CA I lived in HOA community, all communities 20 years and younger have HOA's that I can think of. I moved in in phase I, the first few years it was ok but by year six those clowns were telling my I could not put Christmas decorations on the inside of my windows. All the while they refused to do anything about the jokers that were driving 50 MPH down my street with a 25 MPH limit.

My answer, move to Idaho. LOL

[tunnel_rat]

When I lived in So. CA I lived in HOA community, all communities 20 years and younger have HOA's that I can think of. I moved in in phase I, the first few years it was ok but by year six those clowns were telling my I could not put Christmas decorations on the inside of my windows. All the while they refused to do anything about the jokers that were driving 50 MPH down my street with a 25 MPH limit.

My answer, move to Idaho. LOL

Exactly..... Might work for some people, but so does North Korea.

[newoldtech]

With that said there are some situations that I would jump in on, say someone is being assaulted...sure that needs immediate attention and can't wait on the police...but to put your life and their life in danger over material possessions which are probably covered under insurance anyway is just absurd in my opinion.

But you could argue that by intervening you could of possibly prevented someone from being raped, mugged or otherwise injured or killed. You dont know what a potential criminal might do or if the police would get there in time before he did something or got away. Confronting them and possibly stopping them before they have a chance to do harm to person or propety certainly has merit.


HOA's are a non-governmental group that tells you what you can and can't do with your own property.

Thats not something I would ever accept and it sure as hell isn't part of the America I know & love...

But that is the beauty of America, you have a choice to live within a HOA or not to. Some people like the order and discipline that an HOA brings and some dont like it. In America each man gets to choose.

[printer2]

But you could argue that by intervening you could of possibly prevented someone from being raped, mugged or otherwise injured or killed. You dont know what a potential criminal might do or if the police would get there in time before he did something or got away. Confronting them and possibly stopping them before they have a chance to do harm to person or propety certainly has merit.



But that is the beauty of America, you have a choice to live within a HOA or not to. Some people like the order and discipline that an HOA brings and some dont like it. In America each man gets to choose.

Easy enough to watch them from a safe distance. Sure to stop them from raping, mugging, or generally acting in a bad manner. I was driving on the street and some yo-yo was driving stupid in traffic. I pulled out my camera and started recording him and made sure he saw me doing it at the next light. He took off down a side street in a big hurry. Probably made him think afterwards. And all from the safety of my car.

[prorefco]

Easy enough to watch them from a safe distance. Sure to stop them from raping, mugging, or generally acting in a bad manner. I was driving on the street and some yo-yo was driving stupid in traffic. I pulled out my camera and started recording him and made sure he saw me doing it at the next light. He took off down a side street in a big hurry. Probably made him think afterwards. And all from the safety of my car.

Safety ha!!! There have been instances where the one being recorded shot at that camera.... Unless of course you have an armored car...

[printer2]

Safety ha!!! There have been instances where the one being recorded shot at that camera.... Unless of course you have an armored car...

Not all that easy to hit someone at a distance than when they are right in your face. Which position would you rather be in?

[corny]

Maybe if the police were allowed to go out at night and sweep the streets clean of some of the garbage out there we wouldnt have to worry about folks skulking around the neighborhood at night.

Teams of 2 cops.... they find someone just out walking around... ask them what they are doing..... If the answer is reasonable they let them go....with a warning such as an ass whooping or something.... If both cops come to the conclusion that this persons story ust doesnt jibe.....or they suspect he is lying..... Kill him on the spot then call a newly formed agency to send out a meat wagon to remove the carcass.

[prorefco]

Maybe if the police were allowed to go out at night and sweep the streets clean of some of the garbage out there we wouldnt have to worry about folks skulking around the neighborhood at night.

Teams of 2 cops.... they find someone just out walking around... ask them what they are doing..... If the answer is reasonable they let them go....with a warning such as an ass whooping or something.... If both cops come to the conclusion that this persons story ust doesnt jibe.....or they suspect he is lying..... Kill him on the spot then call a newly formed agency to send out a meat wagon to remove the carcass.

Ah, you forgot: form yet another new .gov agency everytime someone gets a skull bashing...