Oakland, California

From the February 26, 2005 San Francisco Chronicle:

Patrick McCullough has been complaining to Oakland police about drug dealers for the past 10 years -- and telling the young men who congregate in front of his house at 59th Street and Shattuck Avenue to beat it.

For his efforts, the 49-year-old has endured harassment, threats, vandalism and an assault in 2003.

Then, during an evening rainstorm on Feb. 18, about 15 young men surrounded McCullough and shouted "snitch" and other taunts as he walked from his front door to his driveway.

Someone hit him with a branch, and others threw punches. McCullough told police he had seen a 17-year-old reach for a gun, so he drew his own gun and shot his would-be assailant in the arm.

"I'm a man, not a mouse nor a vigilante. I'm not looking for medals, just a safe neighborhood and peaceful existence," said McCullough, who grew up in a housing project on the south side of Chicago. "I don't believe in vigilantism under any circumstances. What I did and will continue to do is take my safety in my own hands."

McCullough was arrested on suspicion of felony assault and is free on $15, 000 bail. Prosecutors are deciding whether to file charges against him or any of his assailants. McCullough has no criminal record and does not need a permit to keep the gun, which he purchased legally, on his property.

"I expect we'll be making a decision next week," said Deputy District Attorney Jim Lee.

Yeah, that's a hard decision.

From SFGate.com of February 18, 2006

A NEIGHBORHOOD REBORN

A year after Patrick McCullough shot teen, Oakland's 59th Street has safer rec center, reduced loitering and fewer drug deals

Patrick McCullough still looks each way whenever he steps out his front door and walks down 59th Street in North Oakland. But it's no longer out of fear.

These days, he feels safe enough to take those walks more often with his wife and son. Instead of the cold stares of angry young men, McCullough is greeted by strangers who thank him for taking a stand against the drug dealers who used to rule Bushrod Park and the surrounding streets.

"This street is so cool right now," McCullough, 50, said on a recent sunny day. "Look around, man, all these kids playing in the park and no thugs. The immediate neighborhood is much quieter and, for the most part, free of drug dealers, craps shooters and intoxicant-using loiterers."

A year ago, 59th Street was the scene of a series of violent incidents and confrontations between McCullough and young men police believe are drug dealers. The tension culminated last Feb. 18 when McCullough shot a 15-year-old boy after 15 young men surrounded him in his front yard, shouting "Kill the snitch."

Some residents say the street is quieter in part because homeowners and police shut down several drug houses in the neighborhood. Others credit a new staff at a nearby recreation center for driving away loiterers and welcoming young children. But many agree that McCullough's stand made the biggest impact.

Milton Simpkins, a 30-year resident of the street, says McCullough "is the best thing that ever happened for this block."

Police said there has been only a modest drop in crime on 59th Street, but they said there has been a huge improvement in the quality of life. Clusters of young men no longer hang out in the street at all hours of the day. Residents are out and about. And the neighborhood has found a new sense of pride.

"The atmosphere has completely changed," said Lt. Lawrence Green, who oversaw police patrols in North Oakland for five years until he was transferred to the traffic division last month. "I'm not saying that 59th Street or the surrounding area is pristine. It's not. But you can really see an improvement on Patrick's street."

McCullough became an unlikely hero on a rainy night as he walked from his front door to his car. As usual, a group of young men hung around on the sidewalk. He told them to get off his property.

Just what happened next remains in some dispute. McCullough, who had a handgun in his pocket, said that he was surrounded by the men and that one of them hit him with a branch.

McCullough said Melvin McHenry reached for a gun in a friend's waistband. McCullough shot him.

"I didn't want to shoot him," McCullough recalled. "But at that point, I did what I had to do."

The bullet wounded Melvin in the side and arm. Neither McCullough nor Melvin was charged with a crime.

McCullough, 50, who labored nearly alone for more than 11 years to clean up 59th Street, suddenly found himself in the strange position of being hailed as a hero by many people, including Mayor Jerry Brown and activists working to clean up crime-ridden areas of Oakland.

(Read the whole thing)