The Guardian Angels is a non-profit, international, volunteer organization of unarmed citizen crime patrollers. The Guardian Angels organization was founded in New York City in 1979 by Curtis Sliwa and has chapters in over 60 cities around the world. New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Curtis Sliwa & The Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa (born March 26, 1954 in Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York) founded the Guardian Angels in 1979, a volunteer anti-crime organization with which he has remained closely identified. ...

Sliwa originally created the organization to combat widespread violence and crime on the New York City subways. The organization originally trained members to make citizen’s arrests for violent crimes. The organization patrols the streets and neighborhoods but also provides education programs and workshops for schools and businesses. Times Square–42nd Street station entrance The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, an affiliate of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority as MTA New York City Transit. ... A citizens arrest is an arrest performed by a person who is a civilian, as opposed to a sworn law enforcement officer. ...

History

Founded by Curtis Sliwa in 1979, many of the original Angels worked at the east Fordham Road McDonald's in the Bronx where Sliwa was a manager, and had been members of Sliwa's volunteer garbage clean-up group, The Rock Brigade, named because many said Curtis "crawled out from under a rock". . Originally formed as "The Magnificent 13" referring to the original 13 members, the group soon became the "Guardian Angels" as membership expanded. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is the worlds largest chain of fast-food restaurants, primarily selling hamburgers, chicken, french fries, milkshakes and soft drinks. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

In the beginning, New York City Mayor Ed Koch publicly opposed the group. Many government officials also opposed the group whenever they attempted to open a chapter in their cities. Over the years, however, as the novelty of the organization and controversy has died down, and as citizen involvement and outreach has increased, there has been less public opposition to the group by government officials. Former Mayor Ed Koch later reversed his stance on the organization and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and current New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg have publicly supported the group, although Toronto Mayor David Miller and Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair publicly oppose the group. Edward Irving Koch (born December 12, 1924; pronounced to rhyme with Scotch) was a United States Congressman from 1969 to 1977 and the Mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989. ... Edward Irving Koch (born December 12, 1924; pronounced to rhyme with Scotch) was a United States Congressman from 1969 to 1977 and the Mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989. ... Rudolph William Louis Rudy Giuliani III, KBE (born May 28, 1944) served as the Mayor of New York City from January 1, 1994 through December 31, 2001. ... Michael Rubens Bloomberg (born 14 February 1942) is an American businessman, philanthropist, and the founder of Bloomberg L.P., currently serving as the Mayor of New York City. ... David Raymond Miller (born December 26, 1958) is a Canadian politician. ... Bill Blair, born in Dallas, is a former Negro Leagues pitcher. ...

Two Guardian Angels have been killed while on a patrol. Frank Melvin was shot by a police officer in Newark, New Jersey in 1981. The officer who killed the angel alleged that Melvin was running toward his partner in a hostile manner, confirmed by witnesses. Juan Oliva was shot by a gang member in New York City in 1983. Two other former members were killed while intervening in muggings. There have been no more fatalities of Guardian Angels on a Safety Patrol since then.

The Guardian Angels have established chapters in London, Tokyo, Houston, and Cape Town, South Africa. The Guardian Angels have also begun to include youth programs, teacher programs, disaster response, an Internet safety program called the CyberAngels, self-defense courses, as well as community outreach addressing issues beyond crime. This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Tokyo ), the common English name for the Tokyo Metropolis ), is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and, unique among the prefectures, provides certain municipal services characteristic of a city. ... Houston redirects here. ... Nickname: Motto: Spes Bona (Latin for Good Hope) Location of the City of Cape Town in Western Cape Province Coordinates: , Country Province Municipality City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality Founded 1652 Government [1]  - Type City council  - Mayor Helen Zille  - City manager Achmat Ebrahim Area  - City 2,499 km²  (964. ... The Guardian Angels are an anti-crime organization that operate in the United States, Europe, Brazil, and Japan. ...

Political issues

Curtis Sliwa hosts a major New York radio talk show on WABC where he usually favors populist conservative views. However, the organization accepts members regardless of race, gender, age, religion, political view, or sexual orientation and attempts to avoid political issues. In the beginning, most members happened to be young, inner-city minorities who lived in the most crime-ridden areas. WABC (770 kHz), known as NewsTalkRadio 77, is a radio station in New York City. ... Populism is a political ideology or rhetorical style that holds that the common person is oppressed by the elite in society, which exists only to serve its own interests, and therefore, the instruments of the State need to be grasped from this self-serving elite and instead used for the... Ths article deals with conservatism as a political philosophy. ...

Activities

The original and main Guardian Angels activity is the "Safety Patrol" in which members walk the streets or ride transit. Guardian Angels must be in uniform to represent the organization. They can be identified by their red berets and red jackets or white t-shirts with the Guardian Angels logo of an eye inside a shield with wings. Chapters operate similar to franchise networks supporting one another regionally under standard rules, regulations, and training. The Guardian Angels state that they are an equal opportunity organization that encourages diversity. Basque style Beret Black beret with military emblem A beret (pronounced in English, except in North America where it is pronounced ) is a soft round cap, usually of wool felt, with a flat crown, which is worn by both men and women. ...

The organization accepts volunteers who do not have a recent or serious criminal record and are not members of a gang or racial hate group. In order to join the Safety Patrol program, members must be at least 16 years old. Younger members are allowed to participate in youth programs. Safety Patrol members are prohibited from carrying weapons and are physically searched before patrolling. They are trained in basic first aid, CPR, law, conflict resolution, communication, and basic martial arts. Members are paired up and follow the directions of a Patrol Leader. Members, however, are allowed to do whatever they feel is lawful and necessary in case their lives, or the lives of other citizens, are endangered or fear serious personal injury. Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ...

As of 2006, the Guardian Angels have been active in Orlando, FL.^[1] due to the increase in murder and crime rates. Boston, Massachusetts followed suit in 2007, at first to the opposition of Mayor Tom Menino who eventually supported the group due to the welcoming the Angels received from the people.

CyberAngels

CyberAngels was founded in 1995 by Gabriel Hatcher as an online "neighborhood watch". Originally the group monitored chatrooms directly with the intent of apprehending sexual predators. Later the group took what it had learned and changed its focus to educating police, schools, and families about on-line abuse and cyber crime. In 1998, CyberAngels received a Presidential Service Award. A sexual predator is a person who obtains sex in a predatory manner. ...

Controversy

Since its inception, the organization has attracted controversy. During the 1970s, the City of New York was suffering from budget cuts and reduced public services. At the same time, urban crime in the United States was on the rise. New York City had the reputation of being one of the most dangerous cities in the world. The formation of an all-volunteer group of citizens to patrol the subways attracted considerable public and media attention. While some viewed them as citizens trying to improve their communities, others viewed them as vigilantes with little accountability and oversight. In addition to this, back in the 1970s government agencies were less interested in what is now termed as community outreach and public participation. Even though government agencies are now more likely to actively pursue citizen involvement and volunteering, the debate continues whether citizens should be helping to enforce the law and make citizen arrests or whether this duty should be left to the government or even private security firms.

Outside of the United States

In the years since their founding as thirteen people in the the Bronx, the Angels have grown into a worldwide, multi-national group. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

Japan

A local organization of the Guardian Angels was formed in Japan in 1996, which has a low violent crime rate compared to many other industrial countries. Recently, however, Japan is beginning to experience greater public disorder and criminal activity. The Guardian Angels Japan has chapters in most of the major cities and is only second to America in membership and activities. Keiji Oda, the founder and president of the Guardian Angels Japan, joined the Boston and New York City chapters in the 1980’s. As with most American concepts, the Guardian Angels received both immediate acceptance and rejection in Japan. However, Oda succeeded in convincing Japanese officials that the organisation would be run by Japanese members for the Japanese people, and the principles of the organization were not just American but universal. Official acceptance culminated with a meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2005. The Guardian Angels were the first community organization in Japan to ever be awarded non-profit status. Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... A violent crime or crime of violence is a crime in which the offender uses or threatens violent force upon the victim. ... Junichiro Koizumi , born January 8, 1942) is a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2001 to 2006. ... A non-profit organization (often called non-profit org or simply non-profit or not-for-profit) can be seen as an organization that doesnt have a goal to make a profit. ...

United Kingdom

In London the Guardian Angels have been active since 1989, however, by 2007 they have become a very small group of around 12 and with very little activity. In Britain, the law requires citizens acting in self-defence to use "reasonable force", which leads to Guardian Angel training to centre on using the minimum possible force, and to only use force to prevent a dangerous situation from escalating. All violent crimes are reported to the police, and intervention leading to citizens' arrests (legal in Britain) or use of force is only employed in extreme cases.^[2] This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ...

Their presence in London was highly controversial in the first decade of existence, press articles having likened their actions to vigilantism. In 1989, discussion in Parliament raised the possibility of American members of the Guardian Angels being deported owing to their presence being "not conducive to the public good" but this was rejected.^[3]

South Africa

The Guardian Angels South Africa was established in 2005 by a police officer in Cape Town. No other Guardian Angels chapter has ever been established and run by a police officer, although one chapter in America was established and run by the town’s mayor. South Africa has the highest crime rate of any industrialized nation. Racial tensions and hostility still remain from the Apartheid era. The goal of the Guardian Angels South Africa is not only to address the enormous crime and violence problem, but also to bring people of all races to work together in communities of all races. A segregated beach in South Africa, 1982. ...

Canada

In Calgary, Alberta, on March 24, 2007, a group of Guardian Angel trainees did one last training patrol, the day before their expected graduation day. They toured the East side of the downtown.

A Toronto chapter was originally formed in 1982 and ran until 1984. A smaller chapter ran briefly in the Parkdale area of Toronto in 1992 but disbanded. The 2005 Boxing Day shooting death of teenager Jane Creba in a busy downtown street provoked renewed attention to law-and-order issues in Canada, and Curtis Sliwa stated that he had been contacted by many Torontonians interested in having a local chapter. On July 13, 2006, a new chapter of the Guardian Angels Canada formed in Toronto, Ontario. However, both the mayor David Miller and the police chief Bill Blair stated they were not interested in trying what had not worked twice before.^[1] When Sliwa arrived with 3 other Angels, Miller refused to meet with them, stating that police work was best left to the police. Despite the opposition of the Mayor, community groups, and the police chief, the Toronto Chapter moved ahead. 2006 mayoral candidate Jane Pitfield has expressed her support for the Guardian Angels as has former television anchor Peter Kent and former professional boxer (and now radio talk show host) Spider Jones. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 239 pixelsFull resolution (1698 × 507 pixel, file size: 99 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Guardian Angels ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 239 pixelsFull resolution (1698 × 507 pixel, file size: 99 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Guardian Angels ... This article is about the Canadian city. ... Motto: Fortis et liber(Latin) Strong and free Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Official languages English (see below) Government - Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong - Premier Ed Stelmach (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 28 - Senate seats 6 Confederation September 1, 1905 (split from Northwest Territories) (8th [Province]) Area Ranked... is the 83rd day of the year (84th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the year. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Boxing Day is a public holiday observed in many Commonwealth countries on 26 December. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area [1] Ranked... David Raymond Miller (born December 26, 1958) is a Canadian politician. ... Bill Blair, born in Dallas, is a former Negro Leagues pitcher. ... Peter Kent (born in Sussex, England July 27, 1943) is Deputy Editor for Global Television News, a Canadian TV network. ... Spider Jones is a Canadian author and journalist in both the music and boxing fields, Jones is a three time former Golden Glove Champion and was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996. ...

A Vancouver chapter is in operation as of November 2006. There was a chapter there in the early 80's. Some of the alumni from that group are assisting with the new chapter. For other uses, see Vancouver (disambiguation). ...

A new Ottawa Chapter is planned, with an official opening in February 2007. February 2007 is the second month of the year. ...

A Calgary chapter was set-up, with the first group finishing its training in March 2007.^[4] This article is about the Canadian city. ...

An Edmonton chapter is being set-up, with the first group finishing its training in August 2007.^[5] For other places with the same name, see Edmonton (disambiguation). ...

The Guardian Angels are looking into starting a chapter in Halifax. Recent outbreaks of violent crime in Halifax have promted citizens to contact the Guardian Angels, urging them to start a chapter.^{[citation needed]}

New Zealand

In January 2006, the Guardian Angels opened its New Zealand Headquarters in the Henderson suburb of Waitakere City west of Auckland and New Zealand's fifth largest city. The NZ National Director is Andy "Chieftain" Cawston. Waitakere City is in the west of metropolitan Auckland, New Zealands most populous urban area. ... For other uses, see Auckland (disambiguation). ...

New Zealand's inaugural Guardian Angels Patrol was held on January 13, 2006. Since then, Guardian Angels have also been active in South Auckland, and are in the process of establishing a Chapter in the Auckland Central Business District.

Within New Zealand, The International Alliance of Guardian Angels is recognized and registered as a Charitable Trust for tax purposes. Their headquarters is the Henderson Returned Services Association Inc. offices on Railside Avenue, Henderson NZ.

Trivia

• The 1981 CBS made-for-TV movie "We're Fighting Back," featuring Bronx-born Ellen Barkin, was based on the Guardian Angels. Angels members signed releases giving Warner Bros. permission to depict their lives.

• The Clash recorded their tribute to the group, "Red Angel Dragnet," on their 1982 release "Combat Rock." The "Angels of N-Y-C" of the song lyrics is a reference to the Guardian Angels, and the "Red" in the title to their trademark red berets. The line "Not even five enforcement agencies can save their own, never mind the people" attests to the state of New York City at the time. The song is no unambiguous endorsement as Travis Bickle, the disturbed vigilante protagonist of Martin Scorsese's classic film Taxi Driver, is heavily referenced as well.

• Four members of the Japanese Guardian Angels appear in an episode of Insomniac with Dave Attell filmed in Tokyo. Dave interviews them before their attention is diverted to an (apparently) drunk and disorderly individual.

• The 2005 video game Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories features a vigilante parody of the Guardian Angels called the "Avenging Angels." Headed by a man called Jesus Max Sentenz, the Avenging Angels seek to rid Liberty City of crime in their own "special" way. The player has the option to work for the Angels, dispatching riotous mobs and bikers by any means possible, with special vehicles and wardrobes offered up as rewards. The Avenging Angels' uniforms also resemble the Guardian Angels' uniforms.

• Paul Reubens appears in Season 4, Episode 409 of Reno 911! as "Citizen's Patrolman Rick." He wears a red beret with pins, khaki shorts and shirt, and a matching khaki mini-cape.

• City Year corps members are often mistaken for Guardian Angels in some of the urban communities in which they serve.^{[citation needed]}

CBS Broadcasting, Inc. ... Ellen Rona Barkin (born April 16, 1954) is an Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe Award-nominated American actress. ... “WB” redirects here. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Tokyo ), the common English name for the Tokyo Metropolis ), is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and, unique among the prefectures, provides certain municipal services characteristic of a city. ... Paul Reubens (born Paul Rubenfeld on August 27, 1952) is an American actor, writer, and comedian, known professionally for his character Pee-wee Herman. ... Reno 911! is an American comedy television series on Comedy Central which debuted in 2003. ... Founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1988 by two Harvard Law School Students, Michael Brown and Alan Khazei, City Year calls on young people to dedicate one year of full-time community service to their community and country. ...

References

The Boston Globe is the most widely-circulated daily newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts and in the greater New England region. ... March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (91st in leap years), with 275 days remaining. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 205th day of the year (206th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Calgary Herald is a daily Calgary, Alberta newspaper. ... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Edmonton Sun is a daily tabloid newspaper published in Edmonton, Alberta by Sun Media. ... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 84th day of the year (85th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Guardian Angels

• Guardian Angels official website
• CyberAngels official website
• Guardian Angels Public Discussion Board
• Guardian Angels Japanese chapters
• Extra info about London Guardian Angels
• Guardian Angels Canada
• Curtis Sliwa speaks about the GA from the subway platform where it all started