A few days ago, the Center for Democratic Empowerment (CEDE) issued a press statement saying that the Ministry of Justice's statement that Liberians should "form vigilante groups in order to protect their neighborhoods, their person, and their properties" is unacceptable. Although I agree with many of the points made by CEDE, specifically as it relates to beefing up the police force in Liberia, I however disagree with (CEDE) that it is unacceptable for ordinary Liberians to protect themselves. In essence, CEDE is saying that by telling the Liberian people to protect themselves in a society where the law is ineffective or not enforced, the state is turning over its responsibility to protect its citizens.   While I agree that it is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizens, we must also be realistic in our expectation of some of the responsibilities we expect a ruined country with damaged infrastructure, limited financial resources, shattered and inefficient bureaucratic institutions that are hardly functional, to be able to perform as we see fit.

Call it what you will, vigilante groups or not, the Liberian people have every right to defend themselves, and protect their lives from rag tag tugs who are bent on wrecking havoc on a people who have already endured years of trauma, and are finally trying to return to some form of normalcy.. In the U.S., neighborhood watch groups are formed so that neighbors can look out for suspicious individuals and activities, and call the police if needed. Well folks, this is the U.S. not Liberia.   What is a community to do when it has very limited access to a police force that has limited resources?  What is a community to do when its police force cannot be trusted, and is even suspected of being involved with some of these armed gangs?   What is a community to do when its life liberty and pursuit of happiness is being held hostage by ruthless armed gangs?  What is a community to do but protect itself the best way it knows how?

I believe the formation of some sort of neighborhood watch groups is needed and necessary in many communities in Liberia.   Why shouldn't Liberians be allowed to live free of fear from murderous armed gangs?  Why shouldn't Liberians who are being harassed by armed gangs at night and in broad day light try to keep order in an unruly society?   Neighborhoods such as Painesville, Red light, Dula and New Kru Town that have been the hardest hit areas should be provided literature, speakers and suggestions on how to organize members in their communities into effective neighbor watch groups.