DCHP-1 Online
vigilance committee † Hist. 
a committee of citizens set up to watch over and protect the interests of a community, faction, etc., often according to their own definition of "interests."
- 1836 (1848-1866) In most of the places of these meetings Vigilance Committees have been formed and the registration commenced, and in some of them, delegates have been named to the proposed general meeting.
- 1897 Knots of people can be seen at every street corner considering the advisability of holding a mass meeting and forming a vigilance committee for the purpose of dealing in a summary manner with the jumpers.
- 1921 When word came of this murder the vigilance committee of Yale formed a rifle company of forty... .
- 1836 (1848-1866) In most of the places of these meetings Vigilance Committees have been formed and the registration commenced, and in some of them, delegates have been named to the proposed general meeting.