A Community Taking Matters into Its Own Hands: The Rise of Armed Patrols in Lincoln Heights, Ohio
Introduction: A Town Under Threat
Lincoln Heights, a predominantly Black suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, has made national headlines after its residents took matters into their own hands to protect themselves following a disturbing neo-Nazi demonstration in February 2023. On February 7, a group of neo-Nazis, waving swastika flags and shouting racial slurs, gathered on a highway overpass at the edge of the community. The incident sparked outrage among residents, who questioned the response of local law enforcement. Officers from the neighboring village of Evendale and deputies from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office were present but made no arrests or citations, raising concerns about the community’s safety. In response, residents formed the Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch Program, an armed patrol group dedicated to protecting their neighborhood.
The Formation of the Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch Program
The watch program was established shortly after the neo-Nazi demonstration, with residents armed and ready to defend their community. Daronce Daniels, the group’s spokesperson, explained that the program was created to organize residents who had already taken up arms after the neo-Nazis left the area. The program now coordinates around 70 volunteer guards who patrol the roads leading into the town and monitor key areas, including bus stops, to ensure students’ safety. Ohio’s open-carry laws allow residents to legally bear firearms without a permit, enabling the group to operate within the bounds of the law.
Videos captured by local news stations show the volunteer guards dressed in tactical gear and face coverings, patrolling the streets with a visible presence. While the group emphasizes that it is not a militia or a vigilante force, its formation has sparked debate in the community and beyond. Some residents have expressed support for the program, arguing that it fills a critical gap left by law enforcement. Others have raised concerns, with at least three individuals reporting confrontations with armed men to 911. Daniels has clarified that these incidents likely involved individuals not affiliated with the watch program, stressing that the group’s mission is to protect, not intimidate.
The Legal and Ethical Debate Surrounding the Watch Program
The creation of the Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch Program has sparked a broader conversation about community safety, police accountability, and the role of armed civilian groups. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey has criticized the program, stating that she does not support the establishment of a “neighborhood militia.” However, supporters of the program argue that it is a necessary response to the perceived failure of law enforcement to protect the community. Alandes Powell, a local nonprofit director, expressed this sentiment succinctly: “Lincoln Heights is saying, if you’re not going to protect us, then we’re going to protect ourselves.”
The legal framework in Ohio supports the residents’ right to bear arms, but the line
