FYI...
In
Florida, the Neighbourhood Watch program is sponsored by the
National Sheriffs' Association. A quick look at their website shows that the Neighbourhood Watch is supposed to follow the
Neighbourhood Watch Manual.
In the manual, you can find the following statement, and when he strayed from it, he was no longer fulfilling Neighbourhood Watch duties, but he was acting on his own:
Quote:
Citizen Patrols
Many NW groups choose to use Citizen Patrols on foot or in vehicles to keep their community safe. Patrol may be effective for your group, but you should discuss it with your law enforcement liaison. Two or more individuals, often from the same family, patrol during designated tours of duty and may detect suspicious activity not noticed by stationary observers. Lost children, stranded motorists, stray dogs, damaged street signs or traffic signals, wandering cattle, and automobile accidents are often discovered by citizen patrols.
Patrol members should be trained by law enforcement. It should be emphasized to members that they do not possess police powers and they shall not carry weapons or pursue vehicles. They should also be cautioned to alert police or deputies when encountering strange activity. Members should never confront suspicious persons who could be armed and dangerous. Patrol members can be equipped for their duties. For example, flashlights or searchlights are necessary for night patrols. Many mobile patrols use cell phones or two-way radios to contact a citizen-manned base station, which in turn contacts law enforcement officials when necessary. Remember your partnerships and ask for donations from local businesses.
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