Vigilante facts for kids
A vigilante is someone who tries to enforce the law or bring justice without being an official police officer or judge. They often work in secret. The word "vigilante" comes from the Latin term "Vigiles Urbanus." These were night watchmen in ancient Rome. Their jobs included fighting fires and catching runaway slaves or thieves.
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What is a Vigilante?
In Spanish, the word vigilante means 'watchman'. Many groups started this way when there were no official police. These groups felt they needed to protect their communities. They would take action when they believed the law was not being enforced.
Vigilantes in History
In the United States, vigilante groups were common in some areas. This was especially true in Montana during the gold rush era. They also appeared in California after the gold rush of 1849. These groups often formed when official law enforcement was weak or absent. Sometimes, their actions led to serious harm for suspected criminals. However, not all vigilante actions were sudden. In the 1800s, America had many well-organized vigilance committees.
Vigilantes in Stories
The idea of a vigilante is very popular in books and comics. Many heroes from old dime novels and pulp fiction stories are vigilantes. Characters like Doc Savage and The Shadow fit this description. In comic books, many superheroes are also vigilantes. Think of Batman, Daredevil, and Spider-Man. They act on their own to fight crime. They are not official police officers.
Some vigilante heroes go to extremes. For example, Marvel Comics' character The Punisher uses very violent methods. He might even kill criminals. After a certain point, Daredevil also started killing enemies. These characters show the darker side of vigilantism.
Modern Vigilantism
Today, vigilantism can happen when people feel upset with the justice system. They might think court rules are too slow or unfair. They might believe that criminals are not being punished enough. Sometimes, vigilante "justice" can involve hurting the accused person. It can also involve damaging their property. Some criminals even fear being hurt by vigilantes if they are released from prison.
Modern vigilantes sometimes make mistakes. They might punish the wrong person. Or they might use punishments that are too harsh for the crime. For example, killing a shoplifter is not a fair punishment for shoplifting. Some vigilantes do not plan well and accidentally hurt innocent people. Examples of these types of vigilantes have appeared in The Punisher comics. They include characters like Mr. Payback, Elite, and The Holy.
Vigilantism doesn't just happen on the streets. It can also happen in schools. When students feel that bullying is not stopped by adults, they might try to take matters into their own hands. This can lead to violence as they try to restore order themselves.
See also
In Spanish: Vigilante clandestino para niños
