“We Are Legally Armed, And We Are Patrolling,” Said Cornell Lewis, the Founder of the Self-Defense Brigade.
As reported by NBC Connecticut:
A new controversial armed citizen patrol has launched in Hartford.
Organizers say the people will be legally carrying as they walk around parts of the city where violence has taken a toll.
Though some – including the city’s mayor – are raising concerns about the effort.
In Hartford’s North End on Saturday, a group of people looked to patrol and clean up Garden Street.
“It was important to come out here because we believe that we have to keep the community safe, keep the community clean. And we're doing this by being out here for a few hours, clean up the community, pick up the trash,” said Marcus Long, of Hartford.
Garden Street has seen its share of gun violence including a double homicide in February, which is what prompted the push for civilian armed patrols.
“We are legally armed and we are patrolling,” said Cornell Lewis, the founder of the Self-Defense Brigade. “The people on Garden Street came to us and asked us for help.”
While there did not appear to be open carry – which is banned in Connecticut - organizers previously told us those armed would be licensed and have concealed weapons.
Something about maintaining a well regulated militia