An Oregon community fed up with rising petty neighborhood crime and dissatisfied with police response has taken matters into their own hands. They’ve organized a citizens’ watchdog group – armed with Glock handguns and ready to protect their property.
Their pamphlets, posted in noticeable spots around town, states: “This is a Glock Block. We don’t call 911,” KOIN.com firstreported.
The community is Jennings Lodge, located in Clackamas County. And the fliers aren’t just idle warnings.
Community members have actually pursued conceal carry permits in order to fend off the crime wave, which includes everything from stolen lawn ornaments to vandalism, the Daily Mail reported.
“We’re starting a new group,” said Clackamas County resident, Coy Toloman, in a KOIN report. “We don’t feel neighborhood watch is sufficient, and we don’t feel the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is sufficient.”
Ms. Toloman, fueled by the theft of a favorite statue from her front porch – and subsequent failed chase of the suspect, who “got away” – has taken a class to obtain a concealed carry permit, KOIN reported.
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She now regularly meets with other neighbors to discuss “what kind of gun they have,” and “the best gun shop” to frequent, she said, in the Daily Mail.
The gun-toting residents hope their community effort will dissuade criminals from committing even more egregious crimes.
Ms. Toloman told KOIN she was home at the time of her incident, and “the radio was on. [But] if he got in the house, what then?”
KOIN reported that police are wary of the vigilante movement. But Ms. Toloman is unapologetic.
“I think more people should have permits to carry,” she said, in the Daily Mail. “I will defend myself and my home.”
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• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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