The 911 audio clip posted in comment #90 is well worth a listen. A very educational 11 minutes of your time. Additional video with
photo of Campos here. Given the title of this thread, it might be worth a moment to ponder the reverse, i.e., "how DO you protect your neighborhood?"
Contrary to a few remarks made earlier by others, there's really nothing wrong or stupid about forming a neighborhood watch. If thieves, vandals, rapists, etc., are targeting the area where you live, a patrol can be a pro-active response better than hoping the police get lucky someday.
Effective patrols I've seen are usually composed of 3 to 4 locals who wear a reflective sash, like those worn by crossing guards. They carry flashlights. Patrolling on foot at random hours or as intensively as circumstances require can persuade criminals to go do their thing elsewhere. The patrol serves as a strong deterrent.
There shouldn't be anything wrong with a patrol member being armed, as long as it's CCW and understood that the only purpose is to protect the NW from attack in the event they surprise a criminal red-handed. The only actions the NW should ever take is to be alert, watchful, and use their flashlights and cellphones as needed. The entire neighborhood should be apprised and everyone able should volunteer.
This kind of thing helps draw neighbors together and increases neighborhood alertness, further hardening the target. This is no joke - if a violent serial rapist has ever been loose in your town, if a gang of thieves is working your area, robbing homes and breaking into cars, you know that it is every capable citizen's duty to protect the neighborhood from the predators.
But in this case, we had two guys out cruising around in a car? That's doing it wrong. If the area's spread out, the patrol can use bicycles. On foot is best - the watch members learn the sounds and patterns of the community, they learn what's normal, who lives where, what vehicles are normally parked where, etc. The NW can disband after the threat passes.
