This is very close to the model of private active security in wealthier suburbs of Johannesburg [1], [2], [3]. Crime in suburbs got so bad that residents are prepared to pay for active patrolling. There are 24 hour patrols by armed guards, many of whom are ex-military. It is quite fucked up to think that we are paying armed men to drive around my suburb all day and night to stop other armed men from coming into my house. These companies also do investigations and are permitted to (citizens') arrest people under certain circumstances. They ostensibly supplement the police, but effectively supplant them. It must be mentioned that these services work tremendously well and crime has been driven to near zero in many areas.

[1] http://www.capgroup.org.za/ [2] http://www.csstactical.co.za/ [3] http://www.24-7security.co.za/