When Should Sonoma Valley Neighborhood Watch Volunteers Call the Cops?

It was one month ago on July 13, 2013 when a jury in Sanford, Florida pronounced George Zimmerman not guilty in the death of Trayvon Martin. 

Many across the country were outraged by the verdict.  Citizens are still talking about stand-your-ground laws.  Less has been said bout Neighborhood Watch.

In regards to the Neighborhood Watch element of this case, what do you think should be the purpose of a Neighborhood Watch in the Sonoma Valley and when should a Neighborhood Watch volunteer call the police to step in?

Tell us in comments.

Law enforcement professionals want the volunteers to call police immediately and then step away from the situation.  A police dispatcher said, “We don’t need you to do that,” after Zimmerman confirmed he was following Trayvon Martin.

During the trial Zimmerman claimed his actions were lawful because of Florida’s stand-your-ground law.  While California doesn’t specifically have a stand-your-ground law, in some situations a person can use deadly force to stop an attacker.

Are you active in Neighborhood Watch?  Do you think it’s an important part of the city’s public safety net?  Should Neighborhood Watch volunteers carry guns?  Tell us in comments.