What is it that you guys do, anyway?

If you're part of the RLSH community, you've no doubt been asked this question in one form or another many many times. If you aren't, then upon learning about the RLSH community you've no doubt asked that question yourself. I don't blame you. It's a good question.

What is an RLSH? What's the point? What is it that we do, anyway? read on after the break to find out.

If you've ever watched a film like KICK ASS, you no doubt think that RLSHs dress up in masks and tights, then run around beating up bad guys. No doubt some people joined the community expecting to do just that. They learn quickly, however,  that the truth is somewhat less glamorous than that, but far more satisfying. At least in my opinion. So what is that truth?

What is it that you guys do, anyway?

Twenty different RLSHs will give you twenty different answers to that question, as we all pretty much see our roles differently. No doubt some may find issue with my particular view, but it is what it is.

What we are, in my opinion, when you cut right to the meat of it, are security guards. We are neighborhood watch. We are the red cross and the boy scouts. We have no real authority on the streets, we are limited to the same laws that govern anyone else. If I go after and attack the bad guys I'll end up either dead or in jail. It's not for us to act like little bat-men, running around in hockey pads beating up thugs.

We help protect people and property by being vigilant. We keep an eye out for people in need of help, crimes being committed, things that should be taken care of but no one ever seems to bother. We help.

I see countless times where some eager hopeful RLSH will ask what the perfect weapon is for patrolling. My answer is always "A cell phone". That is one of the greatest tools of our trade. A cell phone, a first aid kit and a fresh bottle of water should be the building blocks of any RLSHs gear. With a cell phone you can call the police when a crime is being committed, an ambulance or fire truck in an emergency, as well as coordinate with other RLSHs. The first aid kit is pretty obvious, and any RLSH should always have, at the very least, a bottle of water to hand out to someone who needs it.

My particular focus is on homeless outreach. La Femme and I are currently organizing our first large handouts, where we will be handing out packs filled with items like toiletries, band aids, water, canned food, socks, and other items that will help people on the street survive. La Femme also has an interest in helping the children of low income families who are forced to live in squalor. We plan on organizing charitable contributions to homeless outreach projects that benefit those children.

As I progress I want to start actively fighting against apathy in our world. The apathy I see out there is mind boggling, and I would like to help show future generations that there is a better way to live, that we need to look out for each other, otherwise why are we even here?

Different RLSHs focus on different things. Some do charity, doing homeless food handouts, or organizing food drives, some focus on crime fighting, doing patrols or confronting drug dealers, or bait operations to get muggers or violent offenders off the street. Still others focus on environmental issues or help save stray pets.

Whatever it is that each particular RLSH does, the next time you are asked what you do as an RLSH, or you as a non RLSH think of asking what it is that we do, remember that it all comes down to one simple answer.

What do we do?

We help.