Replies

National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) of Florida: “The alleged action of a ‘self-appointed neighborhood watchman’ last month in Sanford, FL significantly contradicts the principles of the Neighborhood Watch Program,” NSA Executive Director Sheriff Aaron D. Kennard, said in the press statement.

“NSA has no information indicating the community where the incident occurred has ever even registered with the NSA Neighborhood Watch program.”

A statement released by the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) — the parent organization of USAonWatch-Neighborhood Watch — it has been revealed that Zimmerman was not a member of any group recognized by the organization.

Zimmerman violated the central tenets of Neighborhood Watch by following Martin, confronting him and carrying a concealed weapon.

Carmen Caldwell, the Executive Director of Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade: “In no program that I have ever heard of does someone patrol with a gun in their pocket. Every city and municipality has their own policies. Here in Miami-Dade we train people only to be the eyes and ears of their communities. Not to follow and most definitely not to carry a weapon.”

http://www.thegrio.com/specials/trayvon-martin/zimmerman-not-a-member-of-recognized-neighborhood-watch-organization.php?page=1

The kind of volunteer security detail involved in this case creates all sorts of concerns and potential for liability.

In the Martin case, some questions for the HOA Board might be:

• Did the board request the creation of this Neighborhood Watch?

• Did the board appoint the volunteers?

• Was the board kept apprised of the Neighborhood Watch’s activities?

• Did the board know that Zimmerman and perhaps other members of the Neighborhood Watch were patrolling the community armed?

• Did the board screen any of the volunteers including Zimmerman to determine that they were mentally and physically fit to serve this function? - Donna DiMaggio Berger, Esq.