What LEO's expect of you for "Neighborhood Watch"

[msdaniel]

Just attended a Neighborhood Watch meeting and the deputies there recommended to call them of course if you see any strange vehicles in the neighbors' driveway, but what was surprizing is they expected everyone (mostly women at the meeting) to have a pistol and carry it! They also recommended safety training they offered, but I was surprized at how encouraging they were of CCW, but this is Alabama.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ccman]

Thats good to hear, it would be interesting to see what they would say in CT.

[Okemo]

Think they were just hitting on the ladies?

[Pistology]

I was surprised at how encouraging they were of CCW, but this is Alabama.

They leave that part out of the presentation here in California.

[HotGuns]

No surprise.

This United States of ours is actually diverse enough in way of thought and of lifestyles to be at least 5 or 6 different countrys.

[Joeyguzzo]

I lived in AL.and they really do recommend it. Aswell as the great state of Georgia and FL

[dukalmighty]

Git er done

[archer51]

I hope they emphasized getting the training with guns before getting a gun and carrying it.

[OldVet]

No surprise.

This United States of ours is actually diverse enough in way of thought and of lifestyles to be at least 5 or 6 different countrys.

And some of those should be considered far away planets.

[WHEC724]

At our last 'neighborhood watch' meeting, the deputies stayed away from the subject like the third rail.

I really can't blame them. There is no IQ test, drug test, nor sanity check to purchase a house in my neighborhood. We have some real doozies that show up to these meetings.

The last thing these officers needs is for one of these three-eyed-wonders to say that "Deputy so-and-so told me to get a gun so I's could shoot these criminals".

[Guest1]

[Chief1297]

Did the say Guns or weapons? Sorry, old military delineation.

[rammerjammer]

That's fantastic. Years ago my block had a few neighbors gather for a Neighborhood Watch meeting. It was the most milquetoast and bland meeting you could imagine. The most general advice and really almost nothing proactive such as employing weapons for self defense. It was a total waste of time but hey, at least we got some of those free stickers to put on our doors or windows.

I'll keep an eye open for my neighbors, but I'll rely on my security setup, dogs and firepower to protect my home.

[GJ44]

It's great that LE there is pro gun and even encourage it, but I hope they don't encourage neighbors to make contact with possible suspects. Isn't it "observe and report"? Neighbors should keep an eye open for each other....that's how a lot of burglaries get solved.

[Pioneer]

Outstanding! Back in the day when I was involved in uniform patrol and Neighborhood Watch programs, as with many other departments, ordinary folks were not encouraged to carry firearms. (Dept. policy, not mine.) The emphasis was placed on watching out for your neighbors and not being afraid to call 9-1-1 to report something you might see. The "crime prevention" folks who ran the program for us were (are) non-sworn "civilian" employees of the department. They had no patrol experience aside from an occasional ride-along, and when guns were mentioned at meetings, they deflected the issue because they were "just civilians."

I think it would be foolish to encourage vigilante behavior, but there is nothing wrong with informing folks of their rights of self defense if confronted by violence.

In most cases, Neighborhood Watch groups organize following a rash of crime in a localized area where the citizens pressure the police to "do something." Usually by about the third or fourth meeting the initial enthusiasm has burned out and they fall apart except for the signs posted around the neighborhood.