Real Life Vigilantes: Keeping the Peace Or Obstructing Justice?

I'm probably going to get crap for this but what the hell. The problem is not what they're doing so much as HOW they're doing it, stopping a mugger is all well and good, but it doesn't get at the root of the problem, quoting Rachael Dawes from Batman Begins "Falcone may not have killed your parents Bruce, but he's destroying everything that they stood for; What chance does Gotham have when good people do nothing?" This was in part what drove Bruce Wayne in the movie to become Batman in the movie, however he wasn't going out and simply patrolling the streets every night, he was proactive and took out the crime boss. In short if you want to change the world don't react to criminals, prevent their activity in the first place. The best way would be to do good in the same manner that criminals do bad, 1st organize on a scale that would rival many gangs (the Detroit 300 probably the best example yet), and 2nd criminals rely on the secrecy and shadows, so what's the best to remove that advantage put in the F-ing spotlight holding the smoking gun.

@ssejllenrad said:

@gangly said:

From many videos that I've seen about Phoenix Jones in the past, his primary occupation on patrol was to try and convince obviously drunk people to take a cab instead of driving. This is something that the police could never do, yet it most likely saved at least a few lives. Because of as little as that, he'll always be a hero to me, costume or no.

Amen!

They are obstructions to justice, criminals and guilty or reckless endangerment. These people need to be arrested and locked up just like the rest. They do not help in any way, they make things worse.

I would've never thought most comic-book fans would of been a bunch of Jonah J. Jameson's in real life.

I say "GO! Vigilantes".

                   

Id do it if I was in good shape...and had access to updated technology...or had special training...or wasnt clumsy......Im just gonna stay home.

                   

               

Id do it if I was in good shape...and had access to updated technology...or had special training...or wasnt clumsy......Im just gonna stay home.

@weaponxxx said:

Grant Morrison has a great take on real life vigilantes in his book Supergods....must read!

However aside from a few outstanding costumed heroes who take vigilantism a little too seriously, most of these people provide food and clothing to the homeless and server other various charities. They simply do it in a brightly colored costume. Don't get me wrong Phoenix Jones clearly somewhat mentally unstable, but I think as long as these people let the police do their jobs and don't harm themselves those around them they have every right to express themselves as they see fit.

This times a thousand...

                   

@FadeToBlackBolt:

Agreed. If someone is going to be a vigilante, you better be damn serious enough to inflict deadly punishment on serious criminals. Pepper spraying people who get into fights? Not so much. (rapists, serial killers, e.t.c)

                   

               

@FadeToBlackBolt:

Agreed. If someone is going to be a vigilante, you better be damn serious enough to inflict deadly punishment on serious criminals. Pepper spraying people who get into fights? Not so much. (rapists, serial killers, e.t.c)

If American police forces are as motivated as the French one then i would like those costumed guys around here, at least they're doing it with their hearts not like those half blind half deaf polices forces who see and hear what they like when it's not time to eat. 
It's easy to insult and go down on good people, they want to help not to harm media should find real subjects for their shootings .They're human and like our heroes from comic books they can make mistakes, they will pay for them.  
When a guy help someone get a cat out of a tree he is descripted as a hero and when those guys in tights help someone in danger they're seen as the danger? lol. Plus they punish this guy for being armed but don't you are allowed to carry guns and things like that over here? with a permit at least.  
Medias love making money over crap that's international at least. 

I actually Support Phoenix Jones how many of you have been to seattle there are a lot of gangs and ass-wholes causing trouble. I grew up there and the police of seattle have murdered innocent people or just beat the crap out of them so personally i would rather a Superhero than the cops

@Blue Son said:

I have to say my opinion splits both ways when it comes to
this situation. I saw the documentary on HBO about Superheroes and it captures
a lot of the good that they do, and it doesn’t just include trying to fight
crime. From helping a person who got hit by a hit and run driver, to stopping a
guy from driving drunk and killing someone, to taking food and water to
homeless people on the street, these costumed individuals are really trying to
do good although they wear a costume.

And I can also understand why someone would want to put on a
costume, and be like Batman or the Punisher because let’s face it with all due
respect for the police they’re either never around when you need them, OR they
arrive way too late. Nine times out of ten when it comes to crimes committed, the
victim has already been beaten, robbed, raped, or murdered before the police
even get there.

Having more people out there keeping vigilance on the street
who are not afraid of the bad guys is a great deterrent in my opinion for
stopping crime.

The problem arises when these mask individuals don’t realize
that even though they’re wearing a costume out of a comic book, when they step
out onto those streets they are still dealing with real life. You’re opponent
could be stronger than you, or there could be more than one, and unless you
have some serious body armor, knifes can still cut and penetrate thin clothing
and flesh, and bullets still make big nasty holes. Top it off with the fact
that if you break the law while trying to do a “good deed” you will be the one
ending up in handcuffs, not the real criminals.

I think I did a blog on here way back on why is it more
people don’t try to be superheroes and what it would take to be a real
superhero in this world, and basically it comes down to the individual and how
serious and I mean REAL serious he or she takes crime fighting.

If you’re a highly trained individual in great shape, who
dons a body armor protected costume with weapons LEGAL in your state, and you
know the LAW in your STATE, and you have the common sense when it is right to
handle a situation one on one, and when it is the right time to observe the
situation and call in the cops, then yeah you could be a great crime fighter
who can make a serious impact and contribution to your community.

But if you’re a mental midget in no kind of shape, has no
training what so ever, who thinks he can just throw on some spandex and a cape,
carry ILLEGAL weapons in your state, and doesn’t know jack about the LAW in
your STATE, and goes out there thinking that every little situation he can just
SPRING into action without even thinking, then yeah…you become a damn menace to
your society no different than the ACTUAL criminals on the street.

Mind you in that last paragraph, anyone of those factors can
make one look like a mask idiot that needs to be locked up.

And you know what is even funnier…if people ACTUALLY read a
Batman comic book, half the stupid crap these so-called superheroes do (not all
of them) the Dark Knight would NEVER do it!! That’s because he’s portrayed as a
character that THINKS before he ACTS.

My parents always told me this, and I think a lot of people
have heard it too.

If you going to do something you’re passionate about; make
sure you do it right.

If crime fighting is what you’re passionate about then
dammit DO IT RIGHT…or don’t bother put on the damn mask or cowl at all…

That’s my ten cents and a nickel of thought.

You do not need a mask and cowl or costume period. Thats comic book fantasy stuff that works in that medium. Just go out and be a law enforcer, they the real heroes. Or be a bounty hunter, they the closest to a vigilante you can get and they are considered by many vigilantes. Atleast you will know how to hold up against criminals.

meh.
BB

A lot of people are saying that these wannabes need to leave this to the cops or become a cop if they want to help out, but it seems to me the reason most them dress up and do what they do is cause the police/justice system aren't doing their jobs in the first place. The way I see it if the police were doing their job these people wouldn't feel the need to dress up and do this. Yeah Batman is a fictional character and comparing him to these "RLSH" may seem and is unjustifiable, but I just have to point out a few things: Someone commented that these people may have been wronged by the justice system, but that gives them no right to take that anger out on "criminals" in the streets. I'm pretty sure the first couple criminals that Bruce had captured when he first started prob. caught some serious beatings cause all Bruce could see was the face of his parent's killer. There may be some truth to the whole "They do more harm than good" and "they are the real origins of criminal/supervillains", but I like to think that for every villain that cites Batman as their reason for doing what they do there are many others who decided not to take up a life of crime cause they fear the day the Bat would come after them.

I also thought it was real funny how all the nay sayers are pretty much repeating the crap the haters in the comics say about the idea of real life superheros, talk about life imitating art.

Oh yeah, how much you wanna bet some of these people (including the media) secretly hate on Phoenix Jones cause he is one of the first publicly-known "Real Life Super Hero" that happens to be black. Not trying to call anyone racist but I'm willing to guarantee if he was white he would have more support or at least less people hating on him.

@FadeToBlackBolt said:

Until people start taking it seriously enough to emulate the Punisher, it's pointless.

true ! XD

@Mr. Smiths said:

I feel more safe with the local police in my town.

i DEFINITELY don't

I have to say my opinion splits both ways when it comes to this situation. I saw the documentary on HBO about Superheroes and it captures a lot of the good that they do, and it doesn’t just include trying to fight crime. From helping a person who got hit by a hit and run driver, to stopping a guy from driving drunk and killing someone, to taking food and water to homeless people on the street, these costumed individuals are really trying to do good although they wear a costume.

And I can also understand why someone would want to put on a costume, and be like Batman or the Punisher because let’s face it with all due respect for the police they’re either never around when you need them, OR they arrive way too late. Nine times out of ten when it comes to crimes committed, the victim has already been beaten, robbed, raped, or murdered before the police even get there.

Having more people out there keeping vigilance on the street who are not afraid of the bad guys is a great deterrent in my opinion for stopping crime.

The problem arises when these mask individuals don’t realize that even though they’re wearing a costume out of a comic book, when they step out onto those streets they are still dealing with real life. You’re opponent could be stronger than you, or there could be more than one, and unless you have some serious body armor, knifes can still cut and penetrate thin clothing and flesh, and bullets still make big nasty holes. Top it off with the fact that if you break the law while trying to do a “good deed” you will be the one ending up in handcuffs, not the real criminals.

I think I did a blog on here way back on why is it more people don’t try to be superheroes and what it would take to be a real superhero in this world, and basically it comes down to the individual and how serious and I mean REAL serious he or she takes crime fighting.

If you’re a highly trained individual in great shape, who dons a body armor protected costume with weapons LEGAL in your state, and you know the LAW in your STATE, and you have the common sense when it is right to handle a situation one on one, and when it is the right time to observe the situation and call in the cops, then yeah you could be a great crime fighter who can make a serious impact and contribution to your community.

But if you’re a mental midget in no kind of shape, has no training what so ever, who thinks he can just throw on some spandex and a cape, carry ILLEGAL weapons in your state, and doesn’t know jack about the LAW in your STATE, and goes out there thinking that every little situation he can just SPRING into action without even thinking, then yeah…you become a damn menace to your society no different than the ACTUAL criminals on the street.

Mind you in that last paragraph, anyone of those factors can make one look like a mask idiot that needs to be locked up.

And you know what is even funnier…if people ACTUALLY read a Batman comic book, half the stupid crap these so-called superheroes do (not all of them) the Dark Knight would NEVER do it!! That’s because he’s portrayed as a character that THINKS before he ACTS.

My parents always told me this, and I think a lot of people have heard it too.

If you going to do something you’re passionate about; make sure you do it right.

If crime fighting is what you’re passionate about then dammit DO IT RIGHT…or don’t bother put on the damn mask or cowl at all…

That’s my ten cents and a nickel of thought.

You could have more impact as a real life comic book villian then comic book hero.

They must have been reading too many comics.

This is interesting...

http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/

@EmilyDoersam said:

It's definately a noble idea, I think, to try and help those around you. In some cases I feel like real life vigilantes hide their true identities because they're scared of the repercussions they may be confronted with uncostumed (i.e. some huge steroid thug beating on you because he's unintimidated by your stained TMNT tshirt and glasses). If hiding your face is what is going to make you brave enough to stand up to a bully then go for it, but even in comic books it's sometimes questioned whether superheroes (and/or vigilantes) are helpful, or if they just attract supervillains and bad guys.

The heroes and superheroes do attract the villians and supervillians in the comic books. Thats why Joker started doing crime in Gotham City because Batman appeared and he finally had a reason to live and thats play mind games with Batman.

@NixonV3 said:

These people are nerds running around in rubber suits the most they do is blow their whistle and their only defense is pepper spray. They don't have real muscles they havnt been trained and they don't really do anything, hardly real vigilantes. One of them is going to get Hurt or worse killed.

Phoenix Jones is quite muscular and is a martial artist and trained amateur mixed martial artist who fights in seattle tournaments. He has been doing this for a while and knows what he is doing. next time do some research before making erroneous statements. he also wears a bulletproof vest un der his suit and carries pepper spray and a taser, which are some of the only weapons he can carry legally.

It's definately a noble idea, I think, to try and help those around you. In some cases I feel like real life vigilantes hide their true identities because they're scared of the repercussions they may be confronted with uncostumed (i.e. some huge steroid thug beating on you because he's unintimidated by your stained TMNT tshirt and glasses). If hiding your face is what is going to make you brave enough to stand up to a bully then go for it, but even in comic books it's sometimes questioned whether superheroes (and/or vigilantes) are helpful, or if they just attract supervillains and bad guys.

How come when a someone does something bad he's just labeled a "criminial" but a sane person(not counting criminals who are ACTUALLY mentally ill).

But when somebody tries to do something right, trying to save, help people, he's labeled as crazy or mentally ill no matter what the persons actual condition may be.

Has this world really accepted criminals as a part of life and put good natured people in a corner labeled as a crazy fantasy?!

@cattlebattle said:

they're mental patients

Agreed. Fantasy and reality do not mix and when it does....

@Asok said:

If a civilian has training, then I think that it's okay for them to be a vigilante. I mean, look at real cops. Right now, they're walking around and pepper spraying random people on Wall Street. Some of these guys are actually doing something right.

This.

There are so many corrupt police officers that are essentially criminals with badges getting away with assault, planting of evidence, rape, and murder.

If the police had gotten involved with the situation in the video below thay would have beat up and cause bodily injury to everyone involved. Phoenix got the job done without harming anyone outside of some discomfort from the spray. When the police who arrived were shown this video they claimed that the people fighting were actually dancing and not fighting at all.

I feel more safe with the local police in my town.

I feel safer with Phoenix living in my town. :)

I think that most of you calling these people "mental patients" are just jealous, you wanna do the exact same but are just to scared to do it, dont you see they are the heros we need, but not the ones we deserve...lol

@spikevalentine said:

@Mr. Smiths: Well dude, movies are hardly a portrayal of reality, even when they are based on a true story. And of course, there are bad neighborhoods, but then again, there are bad neighborhoods in Norway and Sweden and United States.

I understand this.

@Mr. Smiths: Well dude, movies are hardly a portrayal of reality, even when they are based on a true story. And of course, there are bad neighborhoods, but then again, there are bad neighborhoods in Norway and Sweden and United States.

If there gonna be vigilantes then they should have good fighting skills, in athletic shape and know how to use guns. And forming a mercenary like group will help out the odds when fighting criminals.

If a civilian has training, then I think that it's okay for them to be a vigilante. I mean, look at real cops. Right now, they're walking around and pepper spraying random people on Wall Street. Some of these guys are actually doing something right.

I support it. There are times when the police are ineffective or too late. But I don't support the violence. It should be a last resort. There should be more convincing drunk people to take a cab or walking someone home rather than apprehending criminals.

@spikevalentine said:

@Mr. Smiths: Actually yes, I have lived both in NYC and Mexico City, I have never ever been mugged, and I am the kind of guy that is out on the streets at 3 am after some party I've been ripped off by cabbies, but never like mugged and stuff, and I mean, every city has its criminals I'm sure, but this city is nothing spectacular on that matter. Mexico is actually number 13 in the GDP international ranks, above countries like Switzerland, the thing is that it is all concentrated here, mostly between Carlos Slim and his buddies like the Azcarragas and Televisa (it's kind of the Latin-American Fox, but way bigger and powerful, that media conglomerate is actually the biggest political power here).

I thought Mexico City was bad...especially after watching films like Man on Fire.

@Mr. Smiths: Actually yes, I have lived both in NYC and Mexico City, I have never ever been mugged, and I am the kind of guy that is out on the streets at 3 am after some party I've been ripped off by cabbies, but never like mugged and stuff, and I mean, every city has its criminals I'm sure, but this city is nothing spectacular on that matter. Mexico is actually number 13 in the GDP international ranks, above countries like Switzerland, the thing is that it is all concentrated here, mostly between Carlos Slim and his buddies like the Azcarragas and Televisa (it's kind of the Latin-American Fox, but way bigger and powerful, that media conglomerate is actually the biggest political power here).

@spikevalentine said:

@SmoothJammin: Yeah, it is too goddamn scary, fortunately I live in Mexico City, there are no shootings like that here, mostly petty crime and corporate (a lot of the richer Forbes people live here, including Carlos Slim, the richest man on the planet, so you might imagine the level of that). About vigilantism, well, it's a double-edged sword, but so are the police and authoritarian forces. Look at NYC and the 99%, police are just abusing the shit out of the rights of protesters (who are protesting for the benefit of the police, except these ones are probably bought). I'm inclined to trust more the moral integrity of people that don't get paid to protect other people, more than corruptible agents, that being said, it is very possible this guys don't have the required training (unless they are like ex-Marines or something, which eludes me), and that's always a recipe for tragedy.

So the crime rate in Mexico City is low? And did not know alot of the people on the Forbes list live their.

I honestly believe that they are all only out to get recognized and get on tv.

@SmoothJammin: Yeah, it is too goddamn scary, fortunately I live in Mexico City, there are no shootings like that here, mostly petty crime and corporate (a lot of the richer Forbes people live here, including Carlos Slim, the richest man on the planet, so you might imagine the level of that). About vigilantism, well, it's a double-edged sword, but so are the police and authoritarian forces. Look at NYC and the 99%, police are just abusing the shit out of the rights of protesters (who are protesting for the benefit of the police, except these ones are probably bought). I'm inclined to trust more the moral integrity of people that don't get paid to protect other people, more than corruptible agents, that being said, it is very possible this guys don't have the required training (unless they are like ex-Marines or something, which eludes me), and that's always a recipe for tragedy.

i say if they belive mthey are doing they are doing the right thing and they can do it well they should its there right

I feel sorry for them, most seem to have an uncertain grasp on reality. They don't have super-powers and real life isn't a Batman comic, sadly they are going to get themselves (and possibly others) seriously hurt or killed if they continue in their delusional behaviour.

It's just too dangerous for all involved. I admire their dedication to trying to do a good thing but the chances of something terrible happening are just too high.

Anybody helping a fellow human being in need should be lauded. Some of these people do a great job, but I fear that others have a somewhat limited grasp of reality. It's only a matter of time before somebody gets badly injured or worse ...

@Eyz said:

It perhaps start from a good intention (when they're not really trying to get attention, at heart) but in the long run they end up doing more bad than good for society.

This isn't the lawless Old West anymore guys! We don't need random vigilantes for real! XD

And did those guys miss what's at the core of each "realistic" powerless superheroes (unlike the likes of Peter Parker or Jaime Reyes that are thrown in the middle of this superhero life)? TRAINING! Lots of it! Not motivation, but years of planning and training!

Exactly the american old west ended in 1920....their are not bounty hunters/vigilantes like that anymore.

@J1ml33 said:

Get off my lawn :D ( it`s a wonder people have not ever consider what would the man with no name would do ?)

if someone like this mean S.O.B was around there would almost be zero crime in most major cities in the U.S (but I guess the most of them are mainly in Texas or near Mexico somewhere ) so what happended to all the Legally Gun caring vigilantes have gone ? oh where could they be ?

Their called bounty hunters and their not the same like how they was in the american old west.

I can see helping someone in a crisis, but wearing a costume is a bit ridiculous. Dibs on the superhero name Puncho McKicko.

Do you know why Justice is blind? Because she has to be impartial. We can't revenge ourselves like that. Okay, police and law fail sometimes but vigilantes won't help.

I'm surprised we don't see more of these guys on those shock and awe websites if they are really on the streets patroling.

i think there prinsibles are good cause they want to help pepole but in all these ''super heroes'' are just normal people who dont have the proper training to do this and they will end up eather hurting them selfs or god forbid gettthem selfs killed. so they should stop and let the police do there job. after all there is a reason we have law enforcment....well thats my rant over. oh and hello from scotland =)

50 years ago, I went in the streets of Montreal as a teenager Vigilante called Rock and fighting gangs who terrorised other youngsters! I've been stabbed 8 times, (I still have the scars), beaten with baseball bats, chairs, iron bars, bike chains, while trying to defend myself with trashcan covers. I tought that the intend to be honest and going to defend others would be some kind of... protection for me and other people! Ouh... The reality is sooo different! Finally I was trowned into a manhole! The problem was to explain that to my father! Oh, and if you try to be a Vigilante, don't wear a mask... can't see nothing with that... and cape is the best thing to be grabbed and trowned to the ground! Mufabacode