In response to a neo-Nazi demonstration on a highway overpass near Lincoln Heights, a majority-Black community in Ohio, residents have formed the Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch program. The initiative was prompted by the inadequate response of law enforcement to the hate group, leaving residents feeling unprotected. Volunteers patrol the streets in tactical gear to ensure the safety of children walking to school and provide a sense of security to the community.
The village of Lincoln Heights, historically a safe haven for Black families escaping the South, has been underserved by local municipalities and had its police department disbanded in 2014, leaving it under the jurisdiction of the Hamilton County Sheriff. This history, combined with the lack of faith in law enforcement’s ability to protect them, has driven residents to take matters into their own hands.
While some residents support the neighborhood protection group, others express concerns that arming residents could lead to a dangerous escalation of conflicts with hate groups. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey has called for legislation to prohibit the wearing of masks while open carrying guns for intimidation purposes. Despite defending her officers’ response to the neo-Nazi rally, she acknowledges the community’s fears and the potential for violence in armed confrontations.
The Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch program, born out of an existing community empowerment organization, aims to uphold the village’s history of self-governance and protection through collective action and vigilance. Residents, tired of feeling vulnerable and unprotected, have taken it upon themselves to ensure the safety and security of their community.
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