With all the publicity involving the NHW volunteer who shot & killed a 17 yr old over in Sanford, perhaps this is a good time to address some of those concerns about vigilantes and rogue wannabe cops. We must reserve judgment until all of the facts have been released; at this point in time there is too much information not being shared with the public -- including whether the shooter was a self-appointed NHW volunteer or if he was part of a recognized group and actually had identified himself as such to the "suspicious person".
First of all, the policy of the City of Tampa/TPD is that everybody who is a member of the NHW Mobile Patrol understands that they are NEVER to carry a weapon while on patrol, regardless of whether they hold a CWP ----- NEVER ---- N E V E R.
Second, every person who takes part in Mobile Patrol has been cleared through a background check.
Third, every person participating in a Mobile Patrol is to wear their identifying T-shirts which say TPD Neighborhood Watch Mobile Patrol, and their vehicle is to display removable magnetic signs identifying said vehicle as being on a Mobile Patrol. That way, there is no question as to whether the vehice is on legitimate business or is casing your homes. But if you still aren't sure, call TPD and report the vehicle anyway.
Additionally, being identified as Neighborhood Watch gives added protection to a NHW volunteer through the state statutes which makes it a 3rd degree felony on the rare occasion that they may be assaulted while they are engaging in NHW dutues. And we always call in to TPD to advise them that we are going on a Mobile Patrol, identifying our vehicle, the route/area we are patrolling, and giving to dispatch the numbers to the cell phones which we are carrying. Upon completion of our patrol, we call back in to TPD as having removed ourselfs from our rounds, as well as anything of importance which we might have observed.
Fourth, NHW volunteers are told to not engage in pursuit or confront. They are directed to, as the name itself implies, WATCH/OBSERVE suspicious persons/vehicles and report said observations to TPD.
