Reader comments
'Angels' are watching over us

Timberwolf | 4:39 a.m. June 2, 2008

I think we need to send the angels back to where they came from, we don't need them here in Utah, law enforcement can handle the situation better than a group of outsiders that themselves probably need looking after.

Nan J. White | 6:40 a.m. June 2, 2008

Send them to us. We could use them in Albuquerque, NM.

2nd Corps | 6:45 a.m. June 2, 2008

Re: Timberwolf

If the Angels can clean up Pioneer Park, it only helps the law enforcement. The more, the better.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 6:53 a.m. June 2, 2008

So, if law enforcement can handle it so well, why is there still such a big problem in Pioneer Park? If people are willing to help out law enforcement, I say let them. Our law enforcement officers seem overwhelmed at times and I think an group of vigilant individuals could be helpful in monitoring areas where cops aren't able to be on watch 24/7.

re: Timberwolf | 6:54 a.m. June 2, 2008

Are you crazy? The law enforcement we have now can handle the situation? good one. Have you ever been to Pioneer park? These guys are doing a good thing and you say we don't need them. Until you, along with everyone else in this city get off their butts and do something about this problem, someone else will have to do it. And thanfully, the Guardian Angels have stepped in. Thanks guy's.

DleeD | 7:32 a.m. June 2, 2008

The program may have been started elsewhere, but the local chapter is comprised of local volunteers. I say this is a good thing. Their methods are to give others the opportunity to make different choices that are better for the community.

We wouldn't need a specific group of Guardian Angels if each of us would step up and monitor our own neighborhoods and families. We don't, so welcome to those who are willing to do it.

cnote12123 | 7:34 a.m. June 2, 2008

Timberwolf, Are you nuts? The local police can handle this? This park has been a problem for years despite major efforts by the police department. One of the major problems with our society today is a lack of citizen involvement. Here we have a group of citizens trying to make our (your) community more safe and you critize the movement. I take my hat off to these people who have the guts to get out and do something about the problems that exist in their neighborhood. Cudos to the Angels!

Anonymous | 7:46 a.m. June 2, 2008

Timberwolf are you nuts?

It's time we take back the city from all the drug users/pushers and all of the gangs running around.

NO FEAR!!!!!

Kudos | 8:45 a.m. June 2, 2008

To the local and State police,Ice, and these Angels. Get rid of these hoodlums once and forever, drive them back to where ever they came from, because for the large part they are transplants. Let them know that they are not welcome. Those law abiding people that move here are more than welcome as long as they are contributors to our society.

'Vigilante' is not a bad word | 8:48 a.m. June 2, 2008

Once upon a time, the idea of being a vigilante was a good thing. In the old west, that's how the people stopped crime. We have this view that it was a bunch of people taking the law into their own hands, but that's not the case. Usuall it was the people of the town getting together with the local law enforcement to form a posse to go after outlaws. That's all the Guardian Angels are. Local people standing up to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors. Vigilante justice: we need more of it, not less.

Anonymous | 8:55 a.m. June 2, 2008

This speaks volumes about what Rocky did NOT do to ease crime. He was too busy fighting those blasted water bottles.

uncannygunman | 9:06 a.m. June 2, 2008

I'm not opposed to the Angels as an "eyes and ears" operation, but it sounds like they're going a little farther than that. I'm curious as to how they "found" drugs on various people without physically searching them, which they shouldn't be doing. If the guy who assaulted them was resisting some unlawful private frisk, I'd be inclined to help him, not arrest him!

John | 9:35 a.m. June 2, 2008

It's funny that anyone can think this is a bad thing. Its obvious that the cops cant handle it. Uncannygunman, all they had to do was watch someone in the park smoking a joint or dealing. I'm confused at how anyone would think this was a bad thing. No one else has done anything at all. Don't bash someone wanting to clean up their city, just because your not doing anything about it.

Non-believer | 9:38 a.m. June 2, 2008

Don't you people remember. This is the second time the Angels have been in Utah. The first time was a bust.

emily smith | 10:26 a.m. June 2, 2008

This is a good thing. Also kids in court needing to do "community service" might benefit from the Angels training. Give the kids something better to do and think about besides getting into trouble. Thanks for being out there, the Police need help as they are forever busy in a lot of other areas. Keep up he good work!

Good For Them | 10:26 a.m. June 2, 2008

These volunteers are UNARMED citizens who are just watching over their own neighborhoods. They're trained to defend themselves, yes, but also trained in CPR and first aid. Good for them. No, GREAT for them. This is the type of thing that makes communities clean, safe, and strong. It also brings people outside and closer together.

Hopefully, it works. It'd be nice if law enforcement could do it all by themselves, but that's not always the case. Personally, I don't know how effective this will be. It will take a lot of comittment from the volunteers and someone with passion to keep the recruitment going. Good luck!

This is troubling... | 11:43 a.m. June 2, 2008

The guardian angles intend well. There is no questioning that. What gives them the right though to perform search and seizures ? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Detain a suspected criminal if you see a crime in progress ( dealing, using what ever ) but call the police and LET THEM DO THEIR JOB. Anything more than that is vigilantism, and not the good kind.

This is troubling? | 9:46 p.m. June 2, 2008

Really? A group of people get trained in conflict resolution, watch out for problems in their neighborhood, get trained to defend themselves if needed, will undoubtedly work hand-in-hand with the police to report situations that will require more "muscle" and they do it all in YOUR town for FREE and that's a bad thing?!?!

Come on, tell us...you work for the ACLU, don't you?

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 10:18 p.m. June 2, 2008

I am so happy, to see, your property taxes are working so well, that YOUR OWN Police Department, that's very well paid for their service's, can now sit back, eat more donuts under a tree somewhere, and watch the Salt Lake chapter of the Guardian Angels performed its first patrol of downtown's Pioneer Park, because no one there seems to know how to dial 911 when they see a crime going on in their area as well and report it to police. That's really sad.

lanrob | 4:59 a.m. June 3, 2008

I'm so happy the Guardian Angels are having a Chapter here. Those of you who feel they are not needed, don't have a clue of what's going on around you. We are slowly turning into another LA, or worse, Memphis. Wake up people!!!!

Otis Gates | 12:21 p.m. June 3, 2008

So many people these days lock themselves inside their homes and shut themselves off from the rest of the world. Joshua Tso is the kind of man who looks to himself to help his community. He helped bring the Angels to Salt Lake to give the community a chance to be part of the solution, instead of just complaining about the problem.
I commend men and women who are proud enough of their neighborhood, their families, and their homes to stand up and make a difference. Well Done Josh, Well done Angels!

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