The Guardian Angels: America's Vigilantes?

You are walking down the street when you hear a scream. Down the alley to your left, an elderly woman clings tenaciously to her pocketbook as an orc rains blows down about her head and shoulders while trying to pull it free. What do you do?

As a Christian, you are obligated to help your neighbor. As a Christian Martialist, you have trained for just such a moment.

As a citizen, you have the authority to intervene. In extreme cases such as this, most jurisdictions recognize the validity of citizens' arrest. According to Wikipedia,

Each state with the exception of North Carolina permits citizen arrests if the commission of felony is witnessed by the arresting citizen, or when a citizen is asked to assist in the apprehension of a suspect by police. The application of state laws varies widely with respect to misdemeanors, breaches of the peace, and felonies not witnessed by the arresting party.

These Biblical & legal principles validate the activities of a group known as The Guardian Angels. Again, I quote from Wikipedia:

The Guardian Angels is a non-profit, international, volunteer organization of unarmed citizen crime patrollers. The Guardian Angels organization was founded February 13, 1979 in New York City by Curtis Sliwa and has chapters in 11 countries (in over 100 cities) around the world.

Sliwa originally created the organization to combat widespread violence and crime on the New York City subways. The organization originally trained members to make citizen’s arrests for violent crimes. The organization patrols the streets and neighborhoods but also provides education programs and workshops for schools and businesses.

The "Angels" have endured their share of controversy, and even today, when a new chapter appears in a city, officials tend to be divided in their support of the organization. Nonetheless, their presence, in their distinctive red berets and jackets, acts as a deterrent to violent crime.

From the Alliance of Guardian Angels website:

In each safety patrol chapter, Guardian Angels volunteers safeguard streets, subways and other public areas. From dusk until dawn, without weapons, these committed volunteers help to ensure that citizens can enjoy their communities without fearing for their safety. The Guardian Angels attend community festivals and other large gatherings to deter criminal elements from disrupting the celebrations. Guardian Angels volunteers are also on call 24/7 and support the community whenever they are needed.

You must not forget, however, that these activities carry a certain amount of inherent danger. In the early 1980's, two Guardian Angels were killed (in separate incidents) while on patrol. One was shot by a police officer.

In addition, significant potential liability inheres to these activities. I'm sure that's why they receive training in law as well as in conflict resolution and martial arts.

Riding public transportation to deter crime does not carry the same romantic image as fighting organized crime while wearing a mask (a la the Batman), but it is as close as you're liable to get to practicing vigilantism within the law.

In just such a venue the Christian Martialist sheepdog can follow his calling while keeping his conscience clear.