Vigilance or Vigilantes?

Neighbors on Patrol is not affiliated with Block Watchers on Patrol, an organization of citizens trained by the Phoenix Police Department to patrol their neighborhoods in a "nonconfrontational and low-risk manner."

Members of Block Watchers on Patrol are strictly prohibited from carrying guns, and vigilante activity is strongly discouraged.

Even police commander Ron Bates, who is generally supportive of Neighbors on Patrol, questions the group's penchant for carrying guns.

Although it is not police-sanctioned, Neighbors on Patrol received $10,000 this year in city Block Watch funds. The group used the money to pay for cellular phones and other equipment.

Now, Richard Fox says he hopes city officials will draw new guidelines for monitoring the Block Watch grant process. He says his committee will strongly consider advising the city council not to give money to gun-toting groups like Neighbors on Patrol.

"I don't want to see a movement of this type growing citywide," Richard Fox says.

The criticisms of Neighbors on Patrol do not appear likely to deter its members from their regular rounds. They insist they have broken no laws--it is, after all, legal to carry registered guns in Arizona--and they don't seem to care if others consider their group a vigilante committee.

In fact, they seem to relish the controversy that comes their way.
"We're just a group of concerned citizens trying to take our neighborhood back from the dirt bags," Patrick Walsh says. "And if that makes us vigilantes, then so be it. Just make sure you spell my name right.