Sanford Police announced on Thursday that the neighborhood watch program has been overhauled and updated with new rules that bar volunteers from carrying firearms.
The revamped rules also instruct volunteers not to follow suspects, NPR reported.
Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman worked for the Florida city's group, and used the "stand your ground" law in his testimony for fatally shooting teenager Trayvon Martin, who was walking through the gated community at night.
Local NPR affiliate radio station WMFE reported that "Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith took over the department in April, and suspended the Neighborhood Watch program shortly thereafter." Now, "department officials say smith saw the need for thorough review and revision in light of the circumstances surrounding Martin's February 2012 death."
In addition to keeping tabs on volunteers holding weapons, the new additions to the program "include background checks for Neighborhood Watch captains and mandatory training," WMFE told NPR. "Watch groups will also work directly with police officers, instead of a civilian liaison."
WMFE reported that Sanford neighborhood watch volunteers were never allowed to hold guns while patrolling.
"We never encouraged people to carry guns," police department spokesperson Shannon Cordingly told The Orlando Sentinel.
Sanford officials told the Associated Press that a community meeting has been scheduled for Nov. 5, so that rules and revisions can be outlined.
Trayvon Martin's mother appeared in court on Tuesday to testify for the need to change Florida's "stand your ground" law, urging the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights members to "seriously" take a look at the piece of 2005 legislation, in addition to a group of similar laws that have passed in more than 12 states since the case of her son's death began.
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