Guardian Angels
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Public Safety | |
Location |
|
---|---|
Area served | Global |
Website | www.guardianangels.org |
The Guardian Angels is a
Sliwa originally created the Guardian Angels to combat widespread violence and crime on the New York City Subway system. The organization originally trained members to make citizen's arrests for violent crimes. They patrolled streets and neighborhoods without involving police or any outside authority[2] but also provided educational programs for schools and businesses.
History
In the beginning,
Rules and activities
The original and main Guardian Angels activity is "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 red Guardian Angels logo of an eye inside a pyramid on a winged shield.
Chapters operate similarly to franchise networks supporting one another regionally under standard rules, regulations, and training. The Guardian Angels state that it is an equal opportunity organization that encourages diversity.[3]
The organization accepts volunteers with no recent or serious
The Guardian Angels have also begun to include youth programs, teacher programs, disaster response, an Internet safety program called the
The Guardian Angels do not demand or ask for money on the subway.
In the 1980s when they were often seen on the subways, imitators would dress in clothing similar to the Guardian Angels' characteristic dress (including red berets) to impersonate them and solicit money.[4]
CyberAngels
CyberAngels was founded in 1995 by "Colin Gabriel Hatcher" as an online "neighborhood watch." Originally, the group monitored chat rooms directly with the intent of apprehending
Training
In 2009, at the Angels' 30th-anniversary celebration held in New York City and again in 2010 at the World Conference held in San Francisco, founder Curtis Sliwa announced the plan to develop Internet-based training for the organization.
One of the primary goals of the training is to reduce the liability potential for members and for the organization during their physical interventions of crime deterrence.
At the international conference held in Chicago, the Raven Method, developed by member Fernan Vargas, was adopted as the official defensive tactics training system for the organization. This change was signed into effect by Founder Curtis Sliwa, National Director Miguel Fuentes, and International Director Keiji Oda.
Chapters
This section needs additional citations for verification. (February 2019) |
The
The Guardian Angels have been active in Orlando, Florida, due to the increase in murder and crime rates.[6]
In 2016, the Washington, D.C. chapter announced they would increase their presence on the Washington Metro following an increase in violent crime.[7]
Outside the United States
Australia
A Guardian Angels chapter actively patrolled in Sydney in the early nineties but disbanded shortly.
A chapter was formed in Canberra, the capital city of Australia in 2008, but has yet to begin patrolling. Some school and internet-safety programs have been conducted. The chapter was closed.
In 2017, a branch was formed in the city of Logan in Queensland. They started patrolling local parks but have since been patrolling the streets and other public places. In 2019, Guardian Angels began patrols in Melbourne and closed 12 months later in 2020.
Canada
A Toronto chapter was originally formed in 1982 and ran until 1984. A smaller chapter ran briefly in the
A Vancouver chapter was in operation as of November 2006. There was a chapter there in the early 1980s. Some of the alumni from that group are assisting with the new chapter.
An attempt to organize a chapter in Ottawa failed after the police and city refused to cooperate plus a negative reaction and lack of interest from the majority of its population.
A Calgary chapter was set up, with the first group finishing its training in March 2007.[9]
A
Germany
In 1993, local Guardian Angels were founded in several German cities like
Japan
A local organization of the Guardian Angels was formed in Japan in 1996. The Guardian Angels Japan has chapters in most of the major cities and is second only 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 1980s. The Guardian Angels concept faced opposition in Japan, but Oda succeeded in convincing Japanese officials that the organization would be run by Japanese members for the Japanese people,[
Mexico
In 2007, a chapter formed in Mexico City led by the Canadian professional wrestler Vampiro.[17]
New Zealand
In January 2006, the Guardian Angels opened its New Zealand Headquarters in Henderson, a suburb of West Auckland, New Zealand. The New Zealand National Director was Andy "Chieftain" Cawston.
New Zealand's inaugural Guardian Angels Patrol was held on January 13, 2006. The Guardian Angels were active in South Auckland for a short while.
On August 30, 2007, Curtis Sliwa graduated from the Auckland CBD Chapter, led by Anna "Kimodo" Cruse. This Chapter's first official patrol was the following evening.[1]
Members of the Wellington Chapter held their inaugural training and orientation Patrol on October 6, 2006, in the Auckland CBD.
Within New Zealand, The International Alliance of Guardian Angels was recognized and registered as a
The Philippines
Cybertanod, Role Model Cop, and the Barangay PeaceKeeping Action Team (BPAT) program of The Philippine National Police are some of the contributions of The Guardian Angels Philippines Chapter in Police organization. Joint police programs of the Guardian Angels resulted in national awards for officers and local police stations where the Guardian Angels work. The chapter covered
South Africa
The Guardian Angels South African Chapter was started by
United Kingdom
In London, the Guardian Angels are an independent, non-profit, non-political voluntary organization whose main purpose is to tackle violent crime, act as positive role models for young people, and serve communities in the UK since its formation on May 14, 1989. By 2007, their main numbers had dwindled to almost zero. [citation needed] In the United Kingdom, the law requires that people use only "reasonable force" as appropriate to the situation, which leads Guardian Angel training to focus on using the minimum possible force and only to 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. Guardian Angels in the UK are unarmed but all fully trained in self-defence, first aid, and law for personal and community protection.
The London Chapter seemed dormant for several years.[22]
Controversies
In 1992, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa issued a public apology for faking several subway rescues in the 1980s in order to get publicity for the group.[23]
In October 2020, various individuals running for the New York City Council expressed concerns that the presence of the Guardian Angels might bring tensions to their neighborhoods.[24]
In February 2021, Patrick Bobilin, a candidate for the New York State Assembly, posted a video to Twitter showing members of the Guardian Angels allegedly harassing and attacking protesters, including Bobilin, as they returned from a Stonewall Inn protest.[25]
In February 2024, several members of the Guardian Angels shoved a man to the sidewalk and put him in a headlock during a live interview with Sliwa at
See also
References
- ^ a b "Safety Patrols". guardianangels.org. Retrieved 2018-11-12.
- ^ a b "How the Guardian Angels are trying to keep the peace amid looting". TODAY.com. 3 June 2020. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
- ^ a b "Guardian Angels' Growing Pains". Time. January 18, 1982. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007.
- ^ Bird, David; Dunlap, David W. (February 20, 1986). "NEW YORK DAY BY DAY; Impostors in Subways". The New York Times.
- ^ "Guardian Angels' patrol of Seminole Heights continues through Halloween". FOX13news. 28 October 2017.
- Boston Globe. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
- Washington Post.
- ^ 'Guardian Angels get bumpy ride in Toronto', CBC News, January 14, 2006
- ^ "Angels test their wings". Calgary Herald. March 25, 2007. p. B3. Archived from the original on October 30, 2007. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
- ^ "Guardian Angels visiting Halifax". The Daily News. September 11, 2007. Archived from the original on October 31, 2007. Retrieved September 11, 2007.
- ^ "Nova Scotia News – TheChronicleHerald.ca". Retrieved 29 September 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 978-3-8100-4158-6.
- ^ Online, FOCUS. "Umstrittene Engel". FOCUS Online.
- ^ Rumpf, Frank. "SCHUTZENGEL HANNOVER – Wir über Uns". schutzengel-hannover.de.tl.
- ^ "Japan Today article about the Angels". Archived from the original on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- ^ "Cops to offer ¥100,000 for tips that catch sex traffickers". 19 September 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2017 – via Japan Times Online.
- ^ Schapiro, Rich (December 5, 2007). "Former wrestler 'Vampiro' to take bite out of Mexico City crime". Daily News. New York.
- ^ "Guardian Angels South Africa – Dare to Care". Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- ^ "Guardian Angels – South Africa". Archived from the original on 28 March 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- ^ "Guardian Angels Potchefstroom". Archived from the original on August 28, 2008.
- ^ "Guardian Angels Chapter List". Archived from the original on 5 June 2008. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- ^ "Guardian Angels to patrol our streets". Echo. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
- ^ Gonzalez, David (Nov 25, 1992). "Sliwa Admits Faking Crimes For Publicity". New York Times.
- ^ Garber, Nick (2020-10-14). "Guardian Angels Patrol UES, But Not Everyone Wants Them". Patch. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
- ^ Offenhartz, Jake (2021-02-05). "Self-Proclaimed Subway Defenders Seen Fighting With Riders In Video". Gothamist. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "On live TV, Guardian Angels rough up a man in Times Square then misidentify him as a 'migrant'". AP News. February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.