#AbrahamVenson & SWB ( Selfdefense While Black )

73 year old Upper 9th Ward New Orleans hostage who fought back!



Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black, Your UrbanSafetyist.

@nadraenzi on twitter.

#AbrahamVenson: Hostage Who Fought Back

Civilian use of force is one of the yardsticks by which groups can assess how government views them. New Orleans view of Black self-defense claims is troubling to say the least. 

A 73 year old crime hostage named Abraham Venson was recently charged with aggravated battery by shooting, for shooting a now deceased burglar who reached for his waistband, which in the inner city is a life threatening gesture indicating a hidden gun. Despite the low bond set, $10,000, it's troubling that a nearly 80 year old law abiding inner citizen, alerted by his alarm company to a break-in, stands charged with defending himself against burglars. 

One of my favorite local crime reporters called the burglars " trespassers " in a September 29th, 2016 New Orleans Advocate front page story. If these burglars were walking across the victim's readily accessible front yard or drive way ( seen in the story photo ), then the term trespasser would be appropriate. 

Since they tripped a silent alarm after breaking into the victims shed, they were burglars. Had the victim not been armed, these burglars could have added aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, manslaughter, or one of two degrees of murder to their charges. These are the high stakes facing local inner city hostages of crime, a fact not lost upon city council, NOPD and the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office. 

Urban safety advocates and concerned citizens in all zip codes must create safety with local government where hostages like Abraham Venson aren't victimized for stopping a threat holding communities captive that can't afford security patrols and can't gamble on slow police response. Lest we forget- directly across from his home 17 hostages were wounded in Bunny Friend Park, none by law abiding citizens like Abraham Venson.

He is a hostage who fought back, within what the law ( though not what local politics ) permits.
-Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black, Your UrbanSafetyist and SWS: Security Within Self Urban Fellowship founder. @nadraenzi on twitter.

#IUniteWithBlue Tour Creator. 

Is there Security without Self?

My urban fellowship, SWS: Security Within Self, operates on the premise that free security and mentoring should come from within the community. Awaiting rationed protection and prevention services from elsewhere means allowing conditions to worsen. 

Our members live this realization and individually, along with SWS, provide these services on the spot. We aren't five star hotel advocates. Our advocacy happens on the sidewalks where the action occurs. 

Some of us lean toward self-defense, citizens on patrol and private security as urban crime solutions. Others favor counseling, mentorship and addressing systemic causes of crime. 

Together, we unite these approaches and select appropriate ones on a case-by-case basis. We understand that regardless of how you define it, either as protection or prevention, there's no security without self. 

We provide the self! 

-Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black, Your UrbanSafetyist and SWS founder. 
" Uniting Protection & Prevention Advocates! "
@nadraenzi on twitter

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#CapBlack & #BroAlMims at Central City March

" Mims now works with Nadra Enzi, known as "Captain Black," to promote community safety and work against violence. The duo co-host an online radio show, "Hostages That Fight Back," at NewOrleansTalkNetwork.com from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. "

Read whole Nola.com story about this anti-violence march we partcipated in,
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2016/09/anti-violence_march.html 

Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black, Your UrbanSafetyist & SWS: Urban Fellowship founder. 
" Uniting Protection & Prevention Advocates! "
@nadraenzi on twitter.

*Donate* to keep us great ;).

#BroAlMIms is Expected to be Quiet Hostage

Once again, Bro Al Mims found himself ( and his son ) threatened by an angry felon/drug dealer- this time last night, by an unneighborly next door neighbor. 

He called 911 twice and the non-emergency number. When a unit finally arrived, officers asked could he " work it out " with the aforementioned career criminal. 

If Bro Al, in besieged Central City, were Sidney Torres, unofficial chief of an off duty French Quarter force, would threats be brushed off? Urban stakeholders are expected to be quiet hostages to thugs surrounding us. 

Bro Al's number is 504 914-1622 if anyone in office, media or advocacy would like check on him. 

I have. 

-Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black, Your UrbanSafetyist & SWS: Security Within SELF Urban Fellowship founder. . @nadraenzi on twitter.

Don't Expect Urban Miracles.

I've watched moral arguments bounce off hard urban heads and cold hearts. My wing of the community, the protection one, faces an amoral vacuum where being a criminal is not only the norm- it's the ideal! We respond by doubling down on self-defense and creating safety with like-minded hostages. Against those refusing to change direction, we practice protection. 

I watch pastors, missionaries,mentors, and advocates try to reboot software invulnerable to values and compassion. They are our prevention wing. In their eyes, thugs and derelict parents can somehow be changed by the right sermon or outreach. 

I stand with these true believers, but see precious few of those approached change their ways. Deevolution has gone too far and penetrated too deeply in too many cases. Unless the individual performs the Samsonian feat of dead lifting old creaturehood out of body and soul, the prevention wing won't get a new convert. New creaturehood comes with acceptance and not many want to open up to recieve He who brings it. 

I assist select prevention wing members whose rare character deserves securing and support. Unlike them, I don't expect urban miracles. While miraculous change is possible, it just isn't likely. Captive communities choose misery they see for majesty yet unseen. Still, you have to admire the prevention wing's dogged optimism. 

I do. 

-Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black, Your UrbanSafetyist and SWS: Security Within SELF Urban Fellowship founder. @nadraenzi on twitter.

Updates @ GoFundMe

Do Blacks Need Separate Police Departments?

I periodically float this thought experiment after high profile racial flare ups. Political homicide targeting police departments in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana lend it new urgency. I begin the experiment by asking police reformers this question: Do Black areas need separate police departments in order to end profiling allegations; brutality claims; federal consent decrees, riots and recently, mass murder of officers? 

The question often offends active and retired members of law enforcement, which isn't its intention. The question is intended to show how heavy governance is-policing is an executive function-as compared to grievance and protesting. 

Imagine Black Lives Matter, the ACLU and inner city neighborhood associations forming and supervising urban safety agencies, or USAs for short. How would USAs differ from conventional departments regarding hot button issues like diversity; training; use of force; public information requests; civilian oversight and other headline-making topics? 

I think assorted advocates would rapidly concede it's far easier to criticize police than it is to supervise and bear responsibility for them. 

-Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black, Your UrbanSafetyist & SWS: Security Within SELF Urban Fellowship founder. @nadraenzi on twitter. Bro Al Mims, chaplin.

Updates @ GoFundMe