HARTFORD, CT – A predominantly Black neighborhood in Hartford has taken an unconventional approach to combatting violent crime by enlisting an armed group of citizens to patrol their streets both on the ground and from the sky.
The “Self-Defense Brigade,” comprised of approximately 40 legally armed volunteers, patrols Hartford’s North End primarily during nights and weekends. The group, founded by Cornell Lewis, utilizes body cameras to document their activities.
When not physically patrolling, the brigade monitors live feeds from a dozen drones and 75 home surveillance cameras scattered throughout the neighborhood. Lewis argues that the city’s Democratic administration has failed to provide adequate safety measures, prompting the community to take matters into their own hands.
Hartford’s Democratic Mayor Arunan Arulampalam has expressed concerns about the group, fearing they might resort to vigilante justice. He emphasized the need for healing and community work rather than armed patrols.
Lewis, however, insists that the brigade is not made up of vigilantes but of trained individuals with legal permits to carry concealed weapons. He highlights that all members are trained in legal security protocols and self-defense techniques.
The initiative began at the request of Archbishop Dexter Burke of the Walk in the Light Church of God, following a fatal shooting near his church in February. Burke believes the patrols have significantly reduced crime in the area and have garnered interest from other neighborhoods in Hartford and New Haven.
Despite the opposition from New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, who argues that more guns on the streets are not the solution, Burke remains steadfast in his belief that the patrols are effective. He asserts that the use of body cameras and drones not only provides evidence for law enforcement but also ensures the safety of the volunteers.