Connecticut residents form armed group to defend against violent crime

A predominantly Black neighborhood in Hartford, Connecticut, is taking steps to combat violent crime by enlisting the help of an armed group of citizens to patrol their streets both on land and in the air.

Known as the “Self-Defense Brigade,” this group consists of about 40 legally armed citizens who voluntarily patrol Hartford’s North End wearing body cameras, mainly during nights and weekends, as explained by the group’s founder, Cornell Lewis.

When not patrolling the streets, the group monitors video feeds from a dozen drones and 75 home surveillance cameras in the neighborhood.

According to Lewis, the Democratic administration in Hartford has been ineffective in addressing the crime issue, leading the community to take matters into their own hands for self-defense.

However, Hartford’s Democratic Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has expressed concerns about potential vigilante justice by the group.

Lewis insists that the brigade members are not vigilantes and are trained in legal security protocols.

These volunteers, who possess legal permits to carry concealed weapons, are focused on self-defense and have undergone training in hand-to-hand combat.

The initiative to patrol the neighborhood was initiated by Archbishop Dexter Burke of the Walk in the Light Church of God following a shooting incident near his church in February.

According to Burke, having community members involved in the patrol efforts helps combat the anti-snitch culture prevalent in Black neighborhoods.

He emphasizes the use of cameras for evidence collection and protection of the volunteer members, with footage intended to be handed over to the police.

Both Burke and Lewis have received inquiries from residents in other Hartford neighborhoods and New Haven expressing interest in similar patrol services.

However, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker has strongly objected to the idea of armed patrols in his city, citing the need to reduce gun presence on the streets.

Despite opposition, Burke affirms the success of their neighborhood patrols and their commitment to continuing the initiative.

“Praying alone will never fix it,” Burke states. “We can pray all day, but it’s just some stuff we need to do.”