In a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Hartford, Connecticut, residents have resorted to a group of legally armed citizens for protection, hoping to curb the rampant violent crime in the area, as reported by The Blaze.
This group, known as the "Self-Defense Brigade," comprises about 40 legally armed citizens who volunteer to patrol the North End of Hartford. They are equipped with body cameras and usually patrol during nights and weekends. The group also utilizes drones and 75 home surveillance systems to monitor the neighborhood, enabling them to identify potential crime hotspots.
Cornell Lewis, the founder of the group, expressed his belief in self-defense, stating, "I believe in self-defense, but I will try to defuse it in every way possible." He also criticized the Democratic leadership in Hartford, accusing them of failing to provide adequate security. "The Democratic machine in Hartford is either unwilling or unable, incapable of doing it, and people are paying their tax dollars, and theyre not really getting any kind of service," Lewis said. He emphasized that self-defense should not be seen as a taboo, adding, So we want the people to understand, number one, self-defense is not a dirty word.
However, the group's activities have not been without controversy. Hartford's Democratic Mayor, Arunan Arulampalam, expressed concerns that the group's actions might lead to vigilantism. Our community has seen so much pain and trauma, and what we need is for those who love this city to do the hard work of healing that pain, not walk around our streets with guns trying to take the law into their own hands, Arulampalam said in a statement to Fox News.
Despite the criticism, Lewis remains committed to training people in self-defense, especially in situations where police intervention is lacking. He also advocates for de-escalation tactics. But if it's clear that you're going to attack, or you pull out some weapons, then we have a right to defend ourselves, Lewis said. He refuted claims that his group members are vigilantes, insisting they are trained in disciplined legal security.
All members of the group possess legal permits to carry concealed weapons. Lewis, a fourth-degree black belt, has also trained members in hand-to-hand combat. The group began its patrols following the murder of two men outside the Walk in the Light Church of God last February.
Archbishop Dexter Burke expressed optimism about the group's impact on crime reduction. "I feel that we are really putting a dent on crime. I think that weve exceeded 100% in terms of success, he said. This story underscores the growing concern over public safety and the lengths to which citizens are willing to go to ensure their security, especially in areas where they feel let down by the authorities.
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