A group of armed, law-abiding citizens wishes to take back the streets of Hartford, Connecticut. Their efforts, led by Minister Cornell Lewis, are currently focused in North Hartford. A double homicide in February was the proverbial final straw that made citizens reach out to the Pastor and his friends for help. Connecticut does not allow open carry, so the armed neighborhood watch will conceal their legally owned weapons during night patrols. The Mayor of Hartford, Arunan Arulampalam, does not encourage the group, although he has not stated that what they are doing is unlawful. The Mayor appreciates a more “compassionate” approach to raging crime in the city.
SOURCES:
Bands Of Armed Civilians Roaming Hartford Streets: Reports | Greater Hartford, CT Patch
Haar: Armed patrols and strange bedfellows in a CT city’s North End
Armed citizen patrols start in Hartford amid violence concerns – NBC Connecticut
