Thiscategory is for in modern terms, avigilante is anyone who takes the law into their own hands; these vigilantes often operate in secret and in violation of established laws, or without the official acknowledgment and sanctioned support of law enforcement agencies. The termvigilante stems from the name "Vigiles Urbani" given to the nightwatchmen of Ancient Rome who were tasked with fighting fires and keeping a lookout for runaway slaves and burglars.

For more information, seeVigilante.