“So, you would NEVER follow a person who just stole the stereo out of your car.”
Well....2 things. If I did follow...it would be because I had just witnessed an actual crime.
Second...I don’t think I would follow since the the type of person who would do that could also be violent.
I would call the police.
Would you ever follow someone who was walking down the street?
The police are trained for these situations - and even they find themselves in compromising situations.
How much more potential for error is there for the NW watch guy, who takes it upon himself to follow people?
A guy who, if reports are true, has had a dream of becoming an officer, and has not achieved that dream.
Is it possible we are looking at an overzealous person who wants to be law enforcement and couldn’t “cut it”
I do it all the time. Sometimes in strange neighborhoods and around people that I don't know, and who don't know me. I'm rarely concerned about or attentive toward any individual though. I have walked up to people who were sitting in stopped cars for extended period (more than 10 minutes or so). I get close enough to talk, but not close enough to touch.
-- How much more potential for error is there for the NW watch guy, who takes it upon himself to follow people? --
Infinitely more, than to the person who stays indoors and averts observation. As for the observers, I'd say the amount of increased risk depends on how close they being themselves to the person they are observing. Stay 50 feet way is pretty safe; 10 feet is not so safe; close enough to touch is courting trouble.
-- Is it possible we are looking at an overzealous person who wants to be law enforcement and couldn't "cut it" --
I think it is highly likely. That doesn't mean he is aggressive observer (as in always tries to get in touching distance of his subjects).
Is it possible we are looking at an overzealous person who wants to be law enforcement and couldn’t “cut it”
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Earlier on another thread (might have even been this thread) someone observed:
We have here a wanna-be gangsta meeting up with a wanna-be cop, and things turned out badly.