Bit of background.
We live in a village between two towns 5 miles to each one. All private housing. Some old cottages but most houses built in the 30s then a lot more in the 50s.
A lovely mix of people, very active church which houses lots of groups for hobbies or talks. Constantly in use.. Ratepayers association, also very active. Local councillors active and involved. Secondary school which does work in the community and a lovely primary school. Regular collections for the nearest foodbank. All in all a happy place with mainly friendly people. The sort of place where people say hello as they pass.
There has been trouble in both towns with teenagers on e-bikes and scooters causing trouble and occasionally they turn up here. They vandalised the wreaths on the war memorial last year and there was outrage. They have been seen on ring cameras trying car door handles and there have been a few more burglaries this year than last. They have churned up a farmer's field and the recreation park.
Sorry to be so longwinded. Yesterday a couple of well dressed middle aged men were knocking on all the doors and asking if we would be prepared to pay a weekly sum in order to hire a private security firm to patrol the village. In the evenings and possibly weekends. Neither DH nor I are keen on the idea and we politely declined. They asked if we would get involved if the majority of the neighbours did. DH said we'd have to think about it.
One of them had a clipboard with a long list of names already.
I don't think this is a very good idea, it feels oppressive and I'm very uncomfortable with the idea. Am I right to be?