A non-profit organization recognized for helping to clean the crime off of New York City's streets 30 years ago is now hitting the streets of cities along the Wasatch Front with the same purpose.
The Guardian Angels is opening a chapter in Salt Lake City and Ogden with a goal of keeping the areas clean and clear of violence and drugs.
"We're here based on the people's (need) for us the past eight months," said Curtis Sliwa, Guardian Angels CEO and Founder, in an interview with the Deseret Morning News. "Pioneer Park, Liberty Park, the TRAX system, and Ogden have been brought to our attention."
In groups of four or more the Guardian Angels patrol dangerous zones, breaking up fights, stopping drug deals, and putting fighters and dealers under citizen arrest.
"If there's a fight, the guys are sluggin' away, we're there breaking it up," said Sliwa in his thick Brooklyn accent. "It's everyone's right to make citizen arrests. We'll slam you and jam you and hold you until the police arrive."
The group started in 1979 when Sliwa worked as a manager at a McDonald's in the Bronx. Seeing criminal activity constantly inside and outside of the restaurant, Swila formed a 13-man band that took to the streets of New York, weaponless, with the intent to stop crime. During the initial launch of the group, Swila and his crew were repeatedly mistaken for criminals.
"The first two years it was misery," said Sliwa. "I was arrested 76 times, and got lots of wooden shampoos and concrete facials from the cops. In '93 it turned around, Rudy (Giuliani) said, 'from now on we're going to work with the Guardian Angels.'"
The group now has chapters in nine countries and 86 cities throughout the world. Salt Lake is looking to make that number rise.
Salt Lake resident Joshua Tso recently completed a required three-month Guardian Angel training in New Orleans. The training includes CPR, martial arts, self defense, and a knowledge of the laws. Tso will head up the Salt Lake chapter of Guardian Angels, and is looking for recruits.
"Something needs to be done. This is it I feel," said Tso at a press conference Thursday morning in Pioneer Park. "If there had been a group of us around the corner at Trolley Square or at the Ogden wedding, (the shootings) may not have happened." Two people died in an Ogden shooting at a wedding party earlier this month and five people died after being confronted by a gunman at Trolley Square in February. The gunman was killed by responding Salt lake officers and an an off-duty Ogden officer who happened to be dining at the mall.
A group of Guardian Angels, including leaders from Tennessee, Ohio, New Orleans, and New York, will be patrolling the streets of Ogden tonight, looking for recruits and gang activity.
"Hispanic gangs (in Ogden are) competing for turf and intimidating people, causing quite a bit of alarm," said Sliwa. Sliwa and other Guardian Angels met with Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon Thursday to discuss the needs of the area and receive the mayor's endorsement.
"It will be a positive addition to the community if they set up a good organization here that's responsive," said Corroon. "I think they will be welcome by the citizens."
Sliwa and his posse also met with the Salt Lake City Police Department, hoping to educate them on their purpose and need in the area. Despite the potential tension that could build between two groups with similar purposes, such as the police force and the Guardian Angels, the police are generally friendly with the group.
"It's a good sign the police are willing to meet with us," said Swila. "The police sometimes give us training and give us police radios in some cities."
The group will focus on educating the people in its approach to opening up in Salt Lake.
"Here we're not a household name. Right away they'll think we're the Hell's Angels," Sliwa said, who comes from a city with a Guardian Angel's Day. "Our biggest task is going to be educating people."
The angels are an unmistakable sight, in their red berets, black long sleeves under white T-shirts with "Guardian Angel" inscribed in red lettering. They demonstrated a standard patrol throughout Pioneer Park Thursday, five of them walking in the form of the five dots on a die.
"I'm king of the streets. I don't want you messing nobody. We don't need you here," shouted a rough-looking man in the park to Sliwa as they walked through the park.
Sliwa smiled and thanked him for his concern. The man soon found himself in line with the group, walking alongside them.
Joe Pepper, sales representative with the Residence Inn across the street from Pioneer Park, said he looks forward to the Guardian Angels' presence.
"We have a direct interest because we have 1,000 people come to the hotel every month," Pepper said. "We're definitely interested in making sure this park gets cleaned up."
Those interested in volunteering for the Guardian Angels can visit guardianangels.org.
E-mail: amarshall@desnews.com