Police: Neighborhood-Watch Group Warns to Watch Young Black Men

Police in Shreveport, Louisiana, are investigating a neighborhood-watch group for allegedly making racist social-media posts and calling for “vigilante justice.” Several members of a neighborhood-watch group in the city’s Broadmoor neighborhood posted comments to Facebook suggesting residents watch for young black men after a spate of car break-ins. One person suggested taking action, writing, “I volunteer for the vigilante justice force!” James Richard, the page’s co-administrator, said several posts that broke rules about abusive or inflammatory comments were deleted. At least one member was blocked from the group for making “blatantly racist” comments, he said. Police were notified about the incident by group members who were alarmed that their children were becoming targets after the racist stereotyping. “I wanted them to do something—people can't play police officers,” said Darcel Moreno, a resident who feared for her two young sons’ safety after the group’s calls for vigilante justice.