Crime-fighter patrols Detroit's streets - latimes.com

A neighborhood watch with firepower

James 'Jackrabbit' Jackson keeps an eye on Detroit's streets at a time when police are scarce.

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As far as neighborhood welcomes go, this one was a bit rough. James Jackson knew as much, but in Detroit's bleak Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood, there isn't much time for subtlety these days.

"Just so you know," he told his newly moved-in neighbor. "There's probably gonna be some shooting tonight."

An older woman across the street had testified in court that morning against associates of a suspected drug dealer who was purportedly known to shoot up witnesses' homes. Anticipating revenge, Jackson had promised the woman he'd stand watch.