Armed Citizens Patrol Hartford Neighborhood to Combat Crime

The Self-Defense Brigade, a group of legally armed volunteers, aims to reduce violence in Hartford's North End through community patrols and surveillance.

• The Self-Defense Brigade consists of around 40 legally armed citizens who patrol Hartford's North End, primarily on nights and weekends.
• The group uses body cameras, drones, and home surveillance systems to monitor the neighborhood and provide evidence to the police.
• Founder Cornell Lewis asserts that the brigade members are trained in self-defense and de-escalation tactics, aiming to prevent crime without resorting to vigilantism.
• Hartford's Mayor Arunan Arulampalam criticizes the group, expressing concerns about potential vigilantism and advocating for non-violent community healing.
• Despite opposition, the brigade claims success in reducing crime and has garnered interest from other neighborhoods in Hartford and New Haven.

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