What I've learned from the subject of vigilantes is that they'll take matters into their own hands if necessary. Vigilantes are people who are willing to risk themselves for the cause of justice. In other cases a vigilante may risk their life without knowing. Whether it is beating up someone who is bullying someone else, or stealing the bag back from a robber. There are consequences for the action of being a vigilante but they're not as bad.
Also being a vigilante is having the courage to stand up for someone else. Taking the opportunity they have to fix what was done wrong. They are and can sometimes be the super heroes of the reality world we all know. Whether it be your next door neighbor who saved you from being robbed by hitting the guy with a pan directly in the head. Or stealing back your own bike from robbers.
