Armed citizens patrol SA neighborhoods

[bblhd672]

http://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/h ... ghborhoods

Homeowners armed with rifles, body armor and marked vehicles patrol their neighborhoods

[ScottDLS]

They look a little more fit and intimidating than the typical OCT crowd.

I wonder how long it will be before the private security lobby tries to shut them down.

[RPBrown]

How are they allowed to be an armed security force without a license and an armed church security force is not allowed??????

[bblhd672]

How are they allowed to be an armed security force without a license and an armed church security force is not allowed??????

I didn't think about that angle. My guess would be they didn't think it necessary to ask the security industry for permission to protect their own homes and neighborhoods.

[roadkill]

No idea what the line of distinction is but they are all voluntary and have an agreement to act on behalf of specific homeowners/businesses. Definitely a gray area in regards to security guard license requirements.

[warnmar10]

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State ...

[Pariah3j]

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State ...

Exactly my thought

[suthdj]

They are just a group of people walking around checking things out getting some fresh air an exercise while exercising their 2A. Nobody asked them to do it and nobody is paying them to do it.

[locke_n_load]

Cool. Glad they they go over the law and are getting written authority to protect others property. I see no problem with it. I would definitely get some sort of prepaid legal service if I was in that group though!

[Soccerdad1995]

How are they allowed to be an armed security force without a license and an armed church security force is not allowed??????

I didn't think about that angle. My guess would be they didn't think it necessary to ask the security industry for permission to protect their own homes and neighborhoods.

I think this is more aligned with the part of Texas law that says you can use deadly force to protect your neighbors property, but only if that neighbor has asked you to protect their stuff.

[crazy2medic]

The thing I see coming is the liberal press will make them out to be a bunch of blood thirsty vigilantes, if they should happen to shoot a bad guy then it'll be made out that they were just lookin to kill somebody!

me personally I think there should more of this, people taking responsibility to protect their own!

[Soccerdad1995]

The thing I see coming is the liberal press will make them out to be a bunch of blood thirsty vigilantes, if they should happen to shoot a bad guy then it'll be made out that they were just lookin to kill somebody!

me personally I think there should more of this, people taking responsibility to protect their own!

I don't think they are doing themselves any favors with statements like "criminals will be lucky if the police get to them before we do". The article was pretty balanced, I believe, but it would be great if this group could cut down a bit on the bravado. That said, I liked the comment amount members using deadly force "if they are threatened".

These types of groups could be extremely valuable in enhancing crime deterrence along with LE organizations. Kind of like volunteer fire departments supplementing paid fire departments. I would love to see more of this.

[RPBrown]

They are just a group of people walking around checking things out getting some fresh air an exercise while exercising their 2A. Nobody asked them to do it and nobody is paying them to do it.

However they are going around in Marked vehicles.
Don't get me wrong, I don't have an issue with it but want to know how they circumvent the security license law when we cant even get the legislature to pass an okay for volunteer church security.

[G.A. Heath]

I doubt they are getting around the security guard licensing laws. I would be willing to bet that the lack of a central authority to prosecute/sue has/will hamper down efforts to do just that. My thoughts are you will see these people arrested by SAPD for violating the security law and we will see an SAPD spokesperson saying something to the effect of "We don't want any would be George Zimmerman cases in our city." I will promise you that George Zimmerman's name will be invoked by both the 'citizens patrol' and it's detractors when something happens.

[Soccerdad1995]

This is a clear example of why the security guard licensing laws are so ridiculous. Does anyone honestly think that it would be better if these guys were all randomly out patrolling with no coordinated plan and no communication?

I do think the marked vehicles are a bit unnecessary, but they are harmless.