Founded by a Yemeni migrant and boasting at least 30 members, the Muslim Community Patrol's (MCP) main aim is to be the "eyes and ears" of Brooklyn's Muslim community. With uniforms and marked cars complete with sirens, the group could easily be mistaken for regular police - but don't be fooled. The patrolmen are unarmed and have no police powers. Instead, the group radios to police if they encounter something that requires police action - or firepower. The volunteer-based organization is believed to be the first Muslim 'patrol' of its kind in the United States.
The patrol was founded in response to concerns over an uptick in Islamophobia, but they do much more than just patrol the streets. One volunteer who spoke with Maupin said that the group offers counseling, feeds the homeless, and participates in other community outreach projects.
"We're here to help bridge the community together," the volunteer said.
Local residents who spoke to RT seemed supportive of the initiative, although a few said the patrol, which mirrors similar groups created by Hasidic and Asian communities in Brooklyn, was cause for concern.
If you don’t want to go to hell when you die, you must have it bugged out of you. Here, let me help you.
It is more gratifying to operate a fleet of ambulances in the valley below, than to employ an ounce of prevention at the precipice above.
We live in an age where heroism is highly celebrated, but no one knows how to diligently mind their own business.
I’ve had a lifetime of entanglement in other people’s problems thinking I was doing them a service. I intend to live the final days of my life attending to my own problems, and the deleterious ripple effect of my choices upon my loved ones.