Connecticut pastor launches armed patrols ‘to keep the streets clean’ after deadly shootout near his church – despite condemnation from Democrat mayor

The leader of a church in Hartford, Connecticut, has pushed for the formation of an armed civilian patrol to monitor the streets.

Archbishop Dexter Burke demanded armed civilian patrols after Garden Street suffered a wave of gun-related crimes, including a double murder near his church in February.

Cornell Lewis, a local activist, led the effort and launched the ‘Minister Cornell Lewis’ Self-Defense Brigade. ‘

Archbishop Burke’s solution to the local violence has drawn criticism from Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam.

Mayor Arulampalam, a Democrat, said: “Adding more guns in the midst of trauma, in the midst of pain in our communities, will only lead to more deaths.”

Archbishop Burke (pictured) became disillusioned with the city’s lack of action when it came to violence, and called for the formation of armed civilian patrols

In Connecticut, open carry is illegal, so all patrol members must keep their weapons concealed

The patrol, which has also tasked itself with cleaning up trash in the community, has also drawn condemnation from other local leaders.

Pastor Henry Brown, speaking on behalf of Mother’s United Against Violence, told NBC: “We do not support any individual patrolling the streets. We are about finding solutions and peace.’

He added: “We don’t need more guns.”

For Archbishop Burke, the armed patrol was something of a last resort, a decision he made after growing tired of seeing his community in the grip of violence.

He was annoyed by the lack of action, the repetitive prayer vigils that happened over and over again, and nothing ever led to change or progress.

“Such a practice has grown old,” Burke wrote. He called it a “strategy to pacify communities of color.”

The February double murder happened just a few blocks from his church, The Walk in the Light Church of God, and it convinced him that an armed patrol was necessary.

Archbishop’s Burke solution to local violence has drawn backlash from other local leaders, including Hartford’s mayor

Some residents approved of the patrol’s presence, calling their deployment “appropriate”

The patrols also clean up waste in the area

For Archbishop Burke, the armed patrol was something of a last resort, a decision he made after growing tired of seeing his community in the grip of violence.

Burke announced, “We’re going to bring in armed security to go through the streets with individuals and help them get to the bus stop. Help them to the supermarket and patrol the area.

He assured community members that members of the patrol “will have licensed, concealed weapons and will assist in fighting crime.”

Hartford residents have had mixed reactions to Burke’s plan.

Some have echoed the mayor and Pastor Brown’s concerns, saying things like, “The more guns you put out, the more violence you’re going to have.”

While other residents have proven more receptive: “I think it’s appropriate.”

The Cornell Lewis Patrol set up their inaugural watch in Hartford’s North End on Saturday.

They picked up trash and appeared to be complying with state firearms laws, which prohibit open carry.

Lewis said his patrol will watch the streets a few times a week, and they will also patrol at night.

“It’s not a one-time thing,” he said.

The patrol leader also sought to refute claims that they were engaging in a form of vigilante justice. Pastor Brown, of the Mother’s United Against Violence, had even previously said, “This is not a vigilante era. This is not the wild, wild West.”

On Saturday, Lewis said: “We are not vigilantes. We are a group of people who are disciplined and educated. We’re going to the shooting range.

“The people on Garden Street came to us and asked us for help.”