What possesses police to have the attitude that vigilante justice is wrong no matter what?

Question

What's the point in someone who has means to defend themself endangering their own lives and possibly the lives of others in the case where there are others present, sitting around with their thumb up their ar$e waiting half an hour or more for the police to get to the scene?

If people were able to take the law into their own hands several people might still be alive today instead of waiting around for police to come.

AR, so if the person who is a direct victim is unable to defend themselve, you're still against it? What's wrong with picking up the ball when police drop it?

AR, so if the person who is a direct victim is unable to defend themselve, you're still against it? What's wrong with doing a better job than the police?

Oh yeah, then they'd be out of a job.

Answer 1

You have every right to protect You and Yours.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

This is not "vigilante justice" but self defense. That's the deference. When a State like Illinois can release 86 prisoners, I believe it was, some on death row, due to wrongful witnesses and DNA that proved they were innocent, then how can you say Vigilante justice is right, what chance is there you might have been wrong after you've pulled the trigger or, do you mysteriously have a way to call the bullet back after you've fired it.

I do believe in self defense and have an over and under behind my bedroom door and a .38 special in the drawer, I am very good, I shot on the Army team and always scored a 98. I also was in 'Nam for two tours and was wounded twice, was an Airborne Ranger so, I guess I can say, I've been there but, I do not agree with Vigilante Justice, things go horrible wrong.

Answer 4

It sounds to me that your "Question" is more of a statement.

Vigilantes are a step away from lawlessness. Citizens have the right to protect themselves, but to take matters into your own hands would be ludicious.

The police are trained in what they do. Despite what some of the ignorant say, the police do not routinely abuse people or violate their rights. On the whole people are treated decently.

Now having been in the business for 20+ years I have evolved in my tactics and overall policing skills. I try to talk more than use action. I guess that's a sign of getting old, but nonetheless it's a skill I use.

Ask yourself, if you were wronged, would you have the ability to shrug it off and do what was right for society? Forget that you were wronged, but could you do what was necessary to put your hands on someone, arrest them, and take them to jail knowing that they would be out in a few hours?

This is the life we have being law enforcement officers. It's a tough job, but I think most of us got into the job for the right reasons.

As for people dying as a result of their lack of -insert reason here- . Well you are grossly misinformed that as a citizen you have to stand by to watch someone get away with murder. You, like every other citizen has the right to protect life and property like we do. We just happen to carry all the stuff with us. But be forewarned that this is not a license to go out and become Judge Dredd.

It would seem to me that using some common sense in situations could go a long way.

Answer 5

The law allows you to protect yourself to the same standard as anyone. You stop the threat, if you go beyond that, then you can be charged. Vigilantes go out and try to enforce laws, but are not direct victims to those crimes. We don't make the laws that prevent vigilantes we just enforce the laws they break.

I agree that if someone can't help themselves and you can, I think you should to the extent of stopping the threat. Vigilantes patrol the streets looking for justice, I don't agree with that. I would like to think that we don't drop the ball, but when you have one officer for every 2000 citizens, you can get bogged down, be a good witness.

Answer 6

I don't think its wrong. Its perfectly fine as long as you follow the laws when doling out your self enforced justice.

The problem comes in when the "citizen" goes too far. Now I am forced by law to enforce the law and put a descent person, with good intentions in jail. That sucks.

Another issue that comes up is the danger. I don't want my good people getting hurt because they get in over their heads.

I can only turn a blind a eye so far.

I can't roll on scene and let you get away with boot stomping a guy into the curb for stealing your car stereo. I can't do it, why should untrained citizens?

Answer 7

Its because they favored certain people over others, if you called the police while in a bad area, they will take forever to get to the scene, but in a rich or upper middle class area, they will be there as soon as possible in most cases, the government does not respect the poor, that's they way this country is.

Answer 8

The use of deadly force is acceptable only in self defense of you and your family if deadly force is threatened. You can't shoot a burglar as he runs away.

Also if something is going down, be aware undercover cops may be involved, especially if it is a weapons or drug bust.

You can use yourself as a human shield if someone is attempting to beat up another individual, but beware, you leave yourself wide open to lawsuit if the victim or the perpatrators are injured because of your actions. Sick society, huh!?! Not to mention the revenge his/her buddies will be after if their friend is caught or hurt.

Your best bet is to let cooler heads prevail.

Answer 9

Law enforcement is an occupation, not a game.
It takes training.
Amateurs who get the idea that they're modern Sherlock Holmes' are troublemakers even if they have good intentions.
Example: You see a person kill another person so you kill that person. It turns out that the witnessed killer was mentally ill.
Since when do we execute mentally ill people?
Self defense when threatened is legal.
Vigilantism isn't and shouldn't be.

Answer 10

Vigilante ism is always wrong. Taking vengeance is wrong, but protecting ones own is all right as long as the citizen knows when to stop. Citizens are not trained as cops are on how much is too much.

Answer 11

in the state of FL and CO there are many laws allowing privet citizens to defent themselfs, others and their property with (upto and including) deadly force and allow concealed carry. States such as IL do not... Main reasons why i have moved.