You make some false assumptions about homeowners policies and deductibles. You should read your own policy and talk to your agent. Where you live – Texas – the homeowner policy has two clauses: one for windstorm, hurricane, hail and wind driven rain; and another for fire, lightening, vandalism, malicious mischief, burglary et al. There is nothing prohibiting you, legally, from setting your deductible for each clause at zero. Some companies allow this.

I don’t understand how you can compel a supspected perpetrator to submit to arbitration or mediation. Also how do you square this with a suspect’s civil rights and due process? What happens when this “community patrol” comes to your door asking you to submit to arbitration for a crime you know you didn’t commit?

That’s what I mean.

In criminal matters, which is what this concept addresses, an accused has a right not to be compelled to do anything. A refusal to cooperate or give evidence against oneself is a fundamental(fifth amendment) right. A refusal to arbitrate, is merely another way of pleading the fifth. It means nothing in criminal matters. It is, in fact, an expectation in criminal matters. Also, under U.S. law, binding arbitration and/or mediation only apply when both parties agree to it before the fact or when a judge in a court of law orders it(In which instance, it has to arrive at a court of law first). Your accused’s refusal to participate is meaningless unless he was a dues paying member of the community patrol before the fact of the crime.

Given that, you have to ask yourself who would want to participate in such a system. I wouldn’t agree to such a system. I have enough trouble with my homeowners association over the height of my lawn and the color of the trim on my house. I can’t imagine subjecting myself to a similar quasi-law enforcement agency. What if my neigbor’s window is broken and a couple of neighbors think my kid was responsible. I would rather deal with the local police.