LIMA — The sight of armed civilians patrolling the sidewalks around Lima’s federal building has caused concerns for some city residents, and Lima City Council met with the local organizers behind the patrol Monday to learn about the group and discuss concerns.
The patrol was organized after four Marines and sailor Randall Smith, a native of Paulding, were killed July 16 by Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Since then, armed civilians in several cities have taken it upon themselves to patrol federal buildings and guard military recruiters.
“The only reason we’re there is to protect the recruiters the government will not protect,” Sonny Shilling said. “That’s the only reason we’re there.”
Concerns about the group were brought to the council Aug. 10 by Jacob King, who discussed the group during privilege of the floor. King said that one of the people patrolling said that they were there to protect recruiters from “Muslims and gangbangers,” a phrase that did not sit well with some councilors.
“I’ve had lots of calls from it, both black and white,” 6th Ward Councilman Derry Glenn said. “I’ve had an opportunity to meet with several Muslims, who were very upset.”
Shilling retorted that while some young people were asked to leave the patrol soon after it formed, no one there now is motivated by racial prejudice. In addition, they ensure that no round is in the chamber while on patrol, Shilling said, making efforts to ensure that safety concerns are addressed.
Third Ward Councilman Jesse Lowe II mentioned the reservations many in the minority community have with seeing men armed with assault rifles on the streets of Lima.
“When you stand there with a gun strapped across your chest, you feel you’re protecting, but if a minority did that, it would be taken a totally different way,” he said. “It does not look right from a minority point of view.”
Shilling emphasized that everything that those on patrol are doing is legal and within their constitutional rights, because they are not patrolling on federal property, but on the sidewalks, with open carry permitted in Ohio.
Council President John Nixon appreciated the meeting, saying they will better be able to speak with concerned constituents in the future about this matter.
“We have a better understanding of what their goals are and what their purpose is,” he said. “We do have lines of communication open with them, so if we hear things, I can get in touch with them and we can make those concerns known.”
