The Guardian Angels was formed in 1979 by Curtis Sliwa, who organized a team of thirteen trained, unarmed volunteers to patrol the New York City Subways. Wearing uniform red berets, they provided reassurance to passengers and a visual deterrence to crime. They were effective as a deterrent because if they witnessed a crime of violence they used the right of Citizens' Arrest to detain law breakers
for the police. As their success grew so did their numbers, soon there was interest from other cities to form their own Guardian Angels groups. As the Guardian Angels concept of citizens becoming active participants in the deterrence of neighborhood crime spread, communities across the country and then around the world requested to be trained as Guardian Angel Safety Patrol members. Now there are chapters all over the world, each one training their own local citizens to wear the red beret and help make their community safer. In 1995 the Guardian Angels formed Cyber Angels to teach safe internet use and target cyber criminals. In 1997 Guardian Angels started their first Urban Angels program to give teens skills to avoid gang membership, drug use and being bullied. In 1999 first Jr. Angels program started to help pr***en children to develop positive purpose and conflict resolution skills. For adults Guardian Angels teach self-defense courses and “street smart” skills to seniors, women and community groups, schools and university students.
~http://www.guardianangels.org/ ~
