Vigilantism: Unacceptable in Today’s Society

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Acts of vigilantism, though being around many years, have no place in a modern society of today. In our society there are laws put into place for the local law enforcement to enforce and protect, so when people in our society go outside of these laws to get what they feel is justice, they become vigilantes committing acts of vigilantism. There are some groups that people call vigilantes like Neighborhood Watch programs and the Guardian Angels. These groups are not created to take the law into their own hands, but they act within the laws working with police officers and their communities to help make them safer. The Neighborhood Watch programs keep a watchful eye for crimes committed in their neighborhood and report to the police, and the Guardian Angel chapters are endorsed and supported by local law enforcement agencies (Bajandas). Both groups work with the police staying within the boundaries of the law helping to reduce crime. There are many reasons that show how acts of vigilantism are dangerous and illegal.

The country and states we live in have laws that have been put into place to protect the people and their freedoms. Without the laws put in place by government, there would be chaos and confusion. If these laws did not exist then everyone would exercise their different ideas on how these laws should be enforced in their own ways. We can see this in the way people react differently towards criminals, and how they should be tried and punished when they commit an act of crime. According to the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Policy, policing agencies that are put in place to protect and enforce these laws also have to follow the same laws they protect. This policy states; “The purpose of the Use of For...

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...s us from becoming part of the problem and allowing the law to work. Staying within the conforms of the law we eliminate the chances of becoming the criminal and creating more victims, for instance or family’s that have to deal with our actions and burden of us not being there for support that is needed and becoming part of the judicial system that no one wants to be part of thus effecting our lives and everyone else’s lives around us.

Works Cited

Inka, Bajandas. "After witnessing attack, Bend man starting citizen crime-Prevention group." The Bulletin [Bend, OR]. Western Communications Inc., 8 May 2009. Web. 9 May 2010.

John, Minnis. "Policy." Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. oregon.gov, 6 Aug. 1999. Web. 9 May 2010. .

"Special Weapons & Tactics Unit (SWAT)." Bend Oregon. City of Bend, 2007. Web. 9 May 2010.

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