Self Defense Vs. Vigilantism

When does one lose the right to defend themselves or as a matter of fact the life of another? The answer is 'NEVER', When is your life in danger or the life of another..., their are 2 answers to this one. The first being at the moment you feel that your life is in danger, during this period only you can make that decision, no one else. No law can be formed our voted to determine this life or death experience. It is hoped that you are rational enough and emotionally sound to be able to know the difference. The second answer is determined by a court, not even the police can make this determination only the court who will listen to the facts as you present them and the opinion of the so called experts police, doctors, and witness etc.

Self Defence is the immediate if you do not something you will die situation, where as vigilantism is the lets go find them and get them situation, very different indeed. To place this term with the conditions of self defence, is to say the least ludicrous and uninformed. This is like saying that your child is choking, and saying wait lets call 919 or your house is on fire call 919 and wait. These events require immediate and appropriate response, just like self defense. Do we tell the cutlass swinging, gun to our head attacker wait let me call 919. I think not

Calling 919 is endoursed and fully supported, never the less it is a delayed response that will have an effect several minutes or hours after the event, depending on police, ambulance and fire availability. Lets look at the time line, call is placed to 919, call is then placed to the appropriate responder, they have to get ready, set, and then go. After going they have to travel, the time of which can only be estimated and dependant on traffic and distance. Upon arriving they once have to find out what has happened or happening and then they decide the appropriate response. These factors are understood and accepted however, during this time my house is still on fire, my child is still choking, and oh yea the cutlass is stilling being wield...hopefully they have have not pulled the trigger.

PLEASE LET NO ONE CONFUSE YOU WITH SAVING YOUR LIFE, WITH ACTS OF VENGEANCE AND ANGER!!

Can We Stop Counting Our Crime Failure

Can we stop the numbers game and put into action real, tangible and non policitical soloutions to crime. What irks me is that we have the answers but lack the will; we refuse to act and prefer to put our heads in the sand and hope it all gets better. For example; If motor cyclist are required by law wear helmets, then why for the life of me do they go unchecked? If we know where all the illegal immigrant villages are on New Providence are then why are they still there. Why do we allow underage kids to travel at will anytime of the day anywhere they want to go? If these kids are out at a bar or club why have we not fined the owners of these establishments and fined the parents? These are simple solutions to crime; they reduce opportunity, and reduce targets. There are hundreds of taxi cabs, services vehicles on our streets and neighborhoods every day and yet we cannot locate a stolen vehicle? Why have we not required that state owned phone company, and regulated radio stations to regularly update the listening public on stolen cars, armed robberies?

As usual the solutions in life are very present sitting in front of us ready to be embraced. This poses the question why can Atlantis place restrictions on how guest visit their property in the name of law and order, but we cannot do the same in our country. Several years ago this same suggestions was made by me to a local and popular shopping area, in an effort to reduce the number of young persons hanging in and around its slew of shops. My recommendation was tossed because at the time they believed the notion of controlling underage visitors was to harsh and would negatively affect sales. I said to them as say now what are sales if shoppers do not feel safe to shop, they will not come.