vigilante group
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vigilante group
A group of citizens who organize themselves without a state mandate in order to provide safety and order in their residential area, often through patrols. Such groups operate in a legal gray area.
Nach einer Serie von Einbrüchen gründeten einige Anwohner eine umstrittene Bürgerwehr.
After a series of break-ins, some residents founded a controversial vigilante group.
The word is made up of 'Bürger' (citizen) and 'Wehr' (defense). 'Wehr' is an old word for defense that you also find in 'Feuerwehr' (fire brigade). So a 'Bürgerwehr' is literally a 'defense group of citizens'.
Die Anwohner diskutierten über die Gründung einer Bürgerwehr.
The residents discussed the founding of a vigilante group.
The term 'Bürgerwehr' (vigilante group) often has a negative or critical connotation. It implies that citizens are taking the law into their own hands, which is legally problematic in Germany and controversially discussed.
Die Polizei warnt vor der Bildung von illegalen Bürgerwehren.
The police warn against the formation of illegal vigilante groups.
In connection with a 'Bürgerwehr' (vigilante group), the verbs 'gründen' (to found), 'bilden' (to form), or 'organisieren' (to organize) are often used, since it is an association of people.
Einige Nachbarn wollten eine Bürgerwehr gründen, aber die Mehrheit war dagegen.
Some neighbors wanted to found a vigilante group, but the majority were against it.
police
'Polizei' and 'Bürgerwehr' both have to do with safety and order, but they are very different. 'Polizei' is a state institution with clearly defined duties and rights. A 'Bürgerwehr' is a group of citizens who organize themselves without a state mandate, often to patrol a residential area. Learners may confuse the words because both are meant to act against danger or crime. But the important point is: 'Polizei' is official and state-run. 'Bürgerwehr' is not the normal state security force and can be legally problematic.
Im Viertel will eine Bürgerwehr abends durch die Straßen gehen.
In the neighborhood, a vigilante group wants to walk through the streets in the evenings.
Vor dem Termin meldete sie den Diebstahl bei der Polizei.
Before the appointment, she reported the theft to the police.