Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa reacts as he leaves federal court in Manhattan after jurors remained deadlock in the racketeering trial against John "Junior" Gotti in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009. This is Gotti's fourth trial, the previous three declared mistrials, and each time prosecutors renew accusations that Gotti orchestrated a kidnapping and attempted murder plot against Sliwa.
City to coordinate anti-crime efforts
YOUNGSTOWN
City officials welcome the decision by the Alliance of Guardian Angels to patrol the streets of Youngstown.
But they first want to meet with the organization’s leadership to coordinate their efforts with the city’s police department.
“They aren’t police officers, but they’re an extra sets of eyes in the neighborhood,” said Mayor Jay Williams. “There’s potential immediate benefit in having them here, particularly with property crimes such as home break-ins. We’ll work with them and believe they can be of benefit.”
Curtis Sliwa, founder of the unarmed citizen crime-fighting group that began in the Bronx in 1979, and other members of the Guardian Angels on Sunday patrolled the area near the Feb. 6 shooting that left one man dead and 11 others shot.
The Angels have been in contact with a local man about coming to the Mahoning Valley, and the Feb. 6 shooting at an off-campus house near Youngstown State University sealed the deal, Sliwa said.
Sliwa said Sunday that a new Guardian Angels chapter would be in place in three to four months patrolling Youngstown and Warren.
Until then, members of the New Castle, Pa., and Cleveland chapters will patrol in Youngstown and Warren on weekends while starting a three-month training of recruits, he said.
Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said he plans to meet with representatives of the Guardian Angels organization in the next couple of days to discuss the potential for a local chapter. He said the organization wants support from local authorities while walking city streets, and that is something the department is prepared to offer.
“I want to sit down with them and see what they are proposing,” said Hughes. “We will support anyone in these matters. I want to keep them in tune with some of the dangers that can occur. I am more than willing to work with them as a community organization in the reduction of crime.”
Hughes is speaking with other cities where the Guardian Angels have operated in anticipation of his meeting with group representatives.
Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-1st, chairwoman of council’s safety committee, expects the committee to meet with the Angels to discuss plans and how to best work with city police.
“If they can help get people involved in our neighborhoods, that’s great,” she said. “We need the people in our city to be alert and vigilant.”
Youngstown police Capt. Rod Foley said he too sees the organization as a great way to get the community more involved with police. He said strong block watches make stronger neighborhoods and encourage people to come forward and work with police in solving crimes.
“I strongly believe in active block watches. That is the only way we are going to turn the neighborhoods around. We have gotten away from that,” he said.
Councilman Paul Drennen, D-5th, said he supports having the Guardian Angels in Youngstown, particularly in areas with high crime rates.
“The Guardian Angels are a group that kids will look up to as people who want to keep the streets safe nonviolently,” he said. “Keeping control over crime is the No. 1 priority. We need to be more proactive and less reactive. This is a proactive group.”
The Guardian Angels, which has close to 150 chapters worldwide, had one in Youngstown in 1981, two years after the organization was created.
After initial resistance from city officials, the organization signed a pact in September 1982 with Youngstown. At the time, Youngstown was only the fifth city to sign a pact with the Guardian Angels.
But by 1983, the Angels’ Youngstown chapter folded for unknown reasons.
Council President Charles P. Sammarone said he wants the Angels to provide information to city officials before patrolling.
“If it makes sense, then you do it,” he said.
Councilman John R. Swierz, D-7th, said the Guardian Angels “have done positive things in other cities. I see it as another tool to curb the crime and violence we have in the city. I look forward to sitting down with members of the organization to coordinate efforts.”
Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th, agrees.
The organization helps “empower residents to be involved in their neighborhoods.”
Councilman DeMaine Kitchen, D-2nd, said he “absolutely welcomes” the Guardian Angels to Youngstown.
But “it shows how we fare as a community. The things we try to do [to stop crime] haven’t worked, and so help is coming,” he said. “They may have street savvy that we don’t have. I want to partner with them to help our current efforts. We want to work with people who recognize problems and offer solutions.”
Councilman Janet Tarpley, D-6th, added: “We need [the Guardian Angels] in a sense because we have so many problems. We have problems with property crimes and other nonviolent crimes. They can help in the neighborhoods with crimes like auto theft to be extra eyes and ears.”