General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Do YOU support the concept of the "Neighborhood Watch"? [View all]Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)Also Zimmerman wasn't patrolling or anything when this incident occurred. He was on an errand.
I do support them as long as they are observation/reporting. Chasing down, no. It seems clear that Zimmerman frightened the boy and caused an incident where there would have been none, but he also violated the rules that LE teaches for these types of programs, it seems.
Like lighting (which has been proven to reduce crime), a reporting program can help police. These really are supposed to be community based reporting programs rather than unofficial cop programs:
https://www.phoenix.edu/colleges_divisions/criminal-justice/articles/2011/02/the-effectiveness-of-neighborhood-watch-programs.html
http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/news_/crime_falls_neighborhood_watch.php