People get protective about their neighborhoods, but where does it cross the line into vigilante justice?

Most places have a neighborhood watch, but this takes it to another level: a Durham intersection is getting a lot of attention after signs popped up threatening speeders with the message, "Speed limit enforced by angry neighbors with paintball guns."

The signs appeared Sunday at the intersection of West Markham Avenue and Glendale Avenue near Duke Park.

"I love the signs," said Durham resident Angelo Abbate. "I think it might slow traffic down."

For the moment, nobody seems to know who did it.

"I told you once," said Durham resident Charles Sutton. "I'll tell you again: no I don't."

The group that put the signs up released a statement saying it's tired of the speeding problem, but shied away from an email interview request saying: "Who we are isn't important. What is important is that the city of Durham realize this is a problem that needs to be solved."

They're calling for Durham to reinstate the "Pace Car" program, which was designed to encourage people to stick with the speed limit.

The area has a history with speeding, apparently; one neighbor said before they put in this traffic circle, he called this the "Markham Dragway."

"It is a very big problem on this street because it's a through-street," said Abbate. "It goes right through to Ninth."

Folks living nearby say they hope it helps, but police are not amused.

The Durham Police Department also declined an interview request, but released its own statement, saying, "The Police Department believes that these signs are inappropriate and potentially dangerous. We fear that these signs could be a distraction to even the most law-abiding motorists and possibly cause collisions."

Most neighbors think the signs are just a warning, and don't expect anyone to start shooting.

"Although you can't tell," said Abbate with a laugh. "Who knows."

They just hope it works.

Durham police say anyone who actually shoots a car with a paintball gun could be subject to criminal charges; they go even further, though, and say if any motorist reasonably believes their car might be damaged, they could press charges.

Statement from Angry Neighbors With Paintball Guns:
Angry Neighbors With Paintball Guns announces the beginning of a citizens' campaign to reduce speeding on neighborhood streets in the city of Durham. 

We are a small group of neighbors who have reached the limits of our patience with the city's inability, some might say unwillingness, to address this issue. We are disappointed that the city has stopped funding and promoting its PACE Car program, which was a successful first step in reclaiming our neighborhood streets from those who abuse the privilege of driving. We are frustrated by the ongoing problem of city of Durham vehicles, including garbage trucks and DATA buses disregarding posted speed limits in our neighborhoods with impunity.  

By posting these signs in strategic locations throughout the city, we seek to make those individuals who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods by their thoughtless and dangerous behavior aware that our patience is at an end. We also seek to make the city of Durham aware that the problem is no longer one that can be safely ignored. 

Contact - AngryNeighborWithPaintballGun@gmail.com

Statement from the Durham Police Department:
The Durham Police Department is aware of the news release sent out by Angry Neighbors with Paintball Guns that mentions concerns about speeding in neighborhoods.

The Durham Police Department enforces traffic laws and we plan to continue to be responsive to traffic concerns from residents throughout the city. We have recently focused on traffic enforcement in the neighborhood where these signs appeared this morning and residents have complimented us on our response.

While we are concerned about speeding in neighborhoods, the Police Department believes that these signs are inappropriate and potentially dangerous. We fear that these signs could be a distraction to even the most law-abiding motorists and possibly cause collisions.

Citizens who engage in the activities advocated by these signs could be subject to civil and even criminal sanctions. By law, if a motorist reasonably believed that his or her property might be damaged, the person who posted these signs could be subject to criminal charges.

We ask residents with concerns about speeding to contact our Traffic Services Unit at 560-4935.

The Pace Car program is inactive at this time due to budget and staffing constraints.

The Police Department's Traffic Services Unit has been active in the neighborhood this summer (these statistics are just from the Motorcycle Unit and do not include tickets written by other officers) -

July 2009
Mangum between Lynch and Trinity: 20hrs - 4 warning tickets - 33 citations.
E. Trinity between Glendale and Mangum: 14hrs - 3 warning tickets - 19 citations.
June 2009
Mangum between Lynch and Trinity: 7hrs - 0 warning tickets - 11 citations.
E. Trinity between Glendale and Mangum: 5hrs - 0 warning tickets - 11 citations.

In addition, a Booze-It-and-Lose-It Checkpoint was conducted in the area on July 1st as well, with the following results:

Booze It and Lose It Checkpoint on Mangum St just prior to Trinity Ave. Present at the checkpoint were Durham County Sheriff, Durham PD, SHP, ALE, and NCCU PD. The following citations and arrest were made:
DWI 3
Safety Belt Violations 1
Child Passenger violations 7
DWLR 33
No Insurance 2
Possession of Stolen Firearm 1
Possession Narcotics 1
Other Traffic Violations 26
Drug Violations 6
Other Criminal Violations 7
Wanted Persons Apprehended 1 

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