On the Side of Angels
One of the reasons I love living in Chicago is the availability of mass public transit. Even though it may be slow at times and the CTA is threatening yet another fare increase, I know that no matter the time of day, I can usually get where I’m going (or at least close to it).
But I have to admit, even though I can ride the bus or train at all hours, that doesn’t mean I’d necessarily want to. Rowdy Cubs or Sox fans on the Red Line might be annoying, but shady characters on the ‘L’ overnight can make some commuters feel uncomfortable.
Fortunately, there’re people looking out for their fellow passengers. They’re the Guardian Angels.
The Guardian Angels is a non-profit volunteer organization of unarmed citizens. The group was founded in 1979 in New York City and now has chapters in over 100 cities around the world. The Chicago branch (with about 50 members) patrols buses and trains, keeping an eye out for trouble. Every member is trained for three months to become physically fit and to learn how to make a citizen’s arrest when necessary.
The organization is not a vigilante group. Vigilantes ignore due process of law and enact their own form of perceived justice. Rather, the Guardian Angels detain offenders until the police arrive and properly handle the situation. According to the Sun-Times, the group has actually helped prevent crime in the city, catching a cell phone thief and a purse snatcher and breaking up fights. And while these may seem like petty crimes, who knows what else these “bad guys” could have been up to:
On July 29, after passengers reported that a gang of three teens had attacked a fourth teen on the train, the Angels were able to chase down one of the suspects and hold him until police arrived, [Michael] Fuentes [leader of the Chicago branch of the Guardian Angels] said. The Angels learned from police this gang had been robbing people on the L all day, Fuentes said.
The CTA and the police appreciate the Angels’ efforts and view them as “another set of eyes and ears.” They do, however, warn the group to be careful, since many of the situations they are involved in are dangerous.
I personally have never actually seen the Guardian Angels, but I always am glad to hear stories of citizens being “street smart” and looking out for one another. If their mere presence discourages pickpockets and confrontational drunks from acting up, then I offer my sincerest thanks.
Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) pantagrapher
http://www.guardianangels.org/
Comments Off