Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch:
Let’s Partner with Law Enforcement: Let’s Be Vigilant: Let’s Legislate!
By: Shelly Ray
Date: 07/15/13
Over the weekend, the nation watched and listened as the “Not Guilty” verdict was read for second degree murder and manslaughter charges in the case of George Zimmerman. Mr. Zimmerman is the 29 year old neighborhood watchman man and man who fired the fatal shot of 17 year old Trayvon Martin on the evening of February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. The subject I will bring before you is that of a personal interest, for I live in a gated community that has a neighborhood watch program.
This case has captured the nation’s attention and has shined a spotlight in many areas of interest ranging from self defense to cold blooded murder, racial profiling on down to gun rights. As television, radio and print continue to deliver the news on the case. Individuals and organized groups take to their social media accounts to address the case and silent/non-violent vigils across the nation take place. The only two people who will ever know what happened that tragic evening is George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin. As I proceed forward, I will address and carve out various reasons for the need for communities to be vigilant, not vigilantes for Neighborhood watchmen/women patrolling our communities. The importance of partnering with law enforcement the need for local legislation tailored to reinforce this plea.
Harold Medlock, the Fayetteville, North Carolina police chief stated “I really encourage neighborhoods to get involved and report suspicious activities. Be vigilant, but do not become a vigilante, else you may become another George Zimmerman. We have the training and the expertise. We know how to approach folks. That 's what the good people of Fayetteville, North Carolina, pay police to do." With that said, I implore that police and trained personnel are equipped to dismantle any potentially dangerous or threatening situation. Moreover,
Let’s Partner with Law Enforcement: Let’s Be Vigilant: Let’s Legislate!
By: Shelly Ray
Date: 07/15/13
Over the weekend, the nation watched and listened as the “Not Guilty” verdict was read for second degree murder and manslaughter charges in the case of George Zimmerman. Mr. Zimmerman is the 29 year old neighborhood watchman man and man who fired the fatal shot of 17 year old Trayvon Martin on the evening of February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. The subject I will bring before you is that of a personal interest, for I live in a gated community that has a neighborhood watch program.
This case has captured the nation’s attention and has shined a spotlight in many areas of interest ranging from self defense to cold blooded murder, racial profiling on down to gun rights. As television, radio and print continue to deliver the news on the case. Individuals and organized groups take to their social media accounts to address the case and silent/non-violent vigils across the nation take place. The only two people who will ever know what happened that tragic evening is George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin. As I proceed forward, I will address and carve out various reasons for the need for communities to be vigilant, not vigilantes for Neighborhood watchmen/women patrolling our communities. The importance of partnering with law enforcement the need for local legislation tailored to reinforce this plea.
Harold Medlock, the Fayetteville, North Carolina police chief stated “I really encourage neighborhoods to get involved and report suspicious activities. Be vigilant, but do not become a vigilante, else you may become another George Zimmerman. We have the training and the expertise. We know how to approach folks. That 's what the good people of Fayetteville, North Carolina, pay police to do." With that said, I implore that police and trained personnel are equipped to dismantle any potentially dangerous or threatening situation. Moreover,
References: 1. https://www.ncjrs.gov/works/wholedoc.htm 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Trayvon_Martin 3. http://fayobserver.com/articles/2013/07/12/1269345 4. http://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/20/5512827/sacramento-police-unveil-virtual.html 5. http://www.examiner.com/article/neighborhood-watch-101-how-to-patrol