“They’re out there patrolling the streets,” he said. “They don’t know the area, they don’t know the community, they don’t know our laws, and that just lends itself to dangers.” [More]I don't suppose Maj. Jimmy knows much about that "supreme Law of the Land" he swore an oath to uphold...
And are you a "vigilante" when a mayor and a fire chief ask for your help? Local governments appear to be giving mixed signals...
What I don't know at this point is if they were actual members or well-intentioned volunteers answering a call for help -- Oath Keepers as an organization generally has local members coordinate such efforts with "authorities."
UPDATE:
After it was confirmed the five were in Mexico Beach doing humanitarian work, they were released on Friday. Ruth Corley with the Bay County Sheriff's Office says they were not impersonating federal agents and were not sovereign citizens.UPDATE:
Under the chaotic circumstances in Panama City after the hurricane, one of our volunteer security teams, out escorting medics and search and rescue, were temporarily detained by the Bay County Sheriff Department (along with the first responders, they were escorting, who were also detained), but when their combined mission was clarified, they were all released on their own recognizance, without having to post bond, and all of their gear and vehicles returned to them... We were NOT doing anti-looter security patrols, nor are we “vigilantes” as a local paper labeled us.Funny-- I don't see any apologies from the "newspaper"...
