http://www.wlwt.com/news/...etail.html

Cincinnati Superhero Patrols Streets Fighting Crime
'Shadowhare' Among Nationwide Group Of Superheroes

Eric Flack
Reporter

POSTED: 4:57 pm EDT April 27, 2009
UPDATED: 12:06 pm EDT April 28, 2009

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati police have a new ally in their fight against crime, whether they want it or not.

He calls himself Shadowhare, and he wears a mask and a cape to conceal his true identity. He's Cincinnati's own version of a superhero fighting crime and injustice where he finds it.

Vote: What do you think of Shadowhare?

"We help enforce the law by doing what we can in legal standards, so we carry handcuffs, pepper spray … all the legal weapons," said Shadowhare. "We will do citizen's arrests. We will intervene on crimes if there is one happening in front of us."

The man behind Shadowhare's mask is 21 years old and from Milford. Those are the only clues to his true identity that he will reveal. Shadowhare said he was abused as a child and grew up in foster homes, perhaps leading him to a life helping others.

"My message to Cincinnati is that there is still hope and all we have to do is stand together," he said.

Shadowhare is not alone in his quest to fight crime. He heads up a group of men -- and one woman -- called the "Allegiance of Heroes." The members communicate with each other in online forums. Among the members are Aclyptico in Pennsylvania, Wall Creeper in Colorado and Master Legend in Florida.

"I've even teamed up with Mr. Extreme in California -- San Diego -- and we were trying to track down a rapist," said Shadowhare.

The crime fighters will often pair up to patrol the streets. Even so, fighting crime comes with its share of hardship.

Shadowhare said he suffered a dislocated shoulder two years ago while trying to help a woman who was being attacked.

And the authorities don't always take him seriously. In one encounter with a Hamilton County corrections officer, Shadowhare was greeted with a chuckle and a look of disbelief.

But Shadowhare said he and his team are not deterred by the criticism. He remains focused on trying to make Cincinnati a better place, whether it's fighting crime or feeding the homeless.

For now, the law is on Shadowhare's side.

It is legal in Ohio and Kentucky to make a citizens arrest, however, the arrester does face possible civil litigation if the person arrested turns out to be innocent.









http://www.tmz.com/2009/0...superhero/

This is either really, really noble -- or really, really stupid. Or both.

Some gangly dude in a spandex outfit who calls himself the "Shadow Hare" is roaming the streets of Cincinnati -- dedicated to ridding the city of evil-doers. Seriously.

Here's the catch -- he's 21-years-old, he's built like a math tutor, and he has no known super powers.

But Shadow Hare -- who refuses to reveal his true identity -- still bravely/stupidly patrols the streets, carrying legal items like handcuffs, tasers and pepper spray.

The guy even busted his shoulder trying to stop a guy from beating up a woman. And he hands out food to the homeless.

But he's not alone -- Shadow claims he's part of the "Allegiance of Heroes" which includes Aclyptico in Pennsylvania, Wall Creeper in Colorado and Master Legend in Florida.

Shadow Hare recently told WLWT that he's even teamed up with Mr. Extreme in California to "track down a rapist."

So the big question -- is he noble for standing up for good and trying to protect his community ... or is he just some delusional moron who's gonna hurt himself?

I wonder if he is bullet proof?

Graycap23 said:

well, he probably wears a helmet.....but for other reasons

I thought i was Ice-Man...






Least when I was 7.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry, but I can't believe the cops are in favor of this guy and his "legion".

And am I the only one that thinks he sounds exactly like right-wing hate-radio nut Ken Levine?

See... here's why if there were superheros in real life... they'd never wear costumes... costumes don't strike fear...

I mean Batman in all the live action pictures, has never been scary... he's supposed to strike fear in the hearts of criminals in the comics... but in live action he looks funny... a guy in a rubber mask...

call me when he stops a bullet!

and what the hell is a "Shadowhare"???? That's like being called The Mystic Poodle or The Miraculous Manatee...

I don't know if it's stupid or smart. His heart is in the right place.

Rookies

Someone's been watching the Watchmen. (that was bad, I'm sorry )



I've actually often wondered what would happen if ordinary, superpower-less people started taking it upon themselves to fight crime like this, a la The Watchmen or even Batman. I know vigilanteism is, at best, frowned on in the real world, but so is it in the fictional world where those heroes are real. Ideally, apprehension and punishment of criminals should be left to the authorities, but there are quite a few places even in North America where said authorities are probably more than a little shady themselves.

But, people can, under certain circumstances, already make citizens' arrests. If that's all people like this plan to be doing, what's the harm if they do it in a cape?

What does it say about our society that someone's started to do this? Is it a last desperate measure? Is it a person who means well and wants to help but doesn't know how to go about it properly? Is it someone who maybe wanted to be a legitimate cop but couldn't cut it? Is it just some comic book geek with delusions of grandeur?

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

They are AWESOME!

I really liked The Mystery Men too.