Guardian Angels plan to double membership in Vancouver
Volunteer community patrol group the Guardian Angels is planning to double its number of active members in Vancouver by this fall, according to a spokesperson for the local chapter.
Vespa Lussier told the Straight the volunteer organization is hoping to expand its membership by 10 new members by the end of September.
While the local chapter includes 40 members-at-large, there are currently 10 active members, including five people that are out in the community four to five days a week.
The group conducts safe walks and safety patrols, mainly in the Granville entertainment district and the Downtown Eastside.
Lussier said she’s planning to hold recruitment drives on the Granville strip and on East Hastings Street in late June and July.
“I would like to see maybe another 10 people hopefully active with our chapter,” she told the Straight by phone. “That means going beyond just patrols but doing other things, administration and that sort of thing.”
The Vancouver chapter of the Guardian Angels has been around since 2006, but Lussier describes the group’s activities as “really low key”. A local chapter was first established in the 1980s.
Lussier said in addition to doing community safety patrols and safe walks, volunteers administer first-aid and help elderly residents carry groceries to their door.
Lussier hopes to expand the patrols to both day and evening, and recruit more women.
“Connecting with the community is the important focus right now,” she said. “I think that females would do really well in those situations, so I’m trying to encourage more females to come out.”
Members of the organization, which was founded in New York City in 1979, wear red berets and red jackets. Guardian Angel chapters are funded by donation.
The establishment of new chapters of the organization has been controversial in some Canadian cities. When the group initially launched a chapter in Calgary, founder Curtis Sliwa confiscated a woman's crack pipe and crushed it in front of reporters. The leader has since indicated the group won't employ confrontational "American tactics" in Canada.
Lussier said that while members are trained in martial arts, the Vancouver chapter is not focused on breaking up fights.
"We're there for other reasons as well [like] administering first aid, even if it's just talking to people, that sort of thing," she said.
“We are a community-based organization that’s solely volunteer,” she added. “We are there to help people. We are not there to judge people, we are not there to get into people’s business.”
Members are also trained in first-aid and law, and Lussier said she's leading a non-violent crisis intervention program.
Lussier said she’s been approached “many, many times” about opening up a chapter in Surrey. She said if the group increases their local membership, she will consider approaching police officials there about doing periodic patrols.
Lussier said recruitment drives are expected to take place on June 25 and 26.
You can follow Yolande Cole on Twitter at twitter.com/yolandecole.
Comments
8 Comments
pfft
Jun 2, 2011 at 6:40pm
fucking losers looking for street cred without paying their dues.
Second Nation
Jun 3, 2011 at 6:50am
Thanks guys for doing something instead of complaining (we here in the comments section are of the latter sort).
Steven Walker
Jun 3, 2011 at 9:39am
They've been around for longer than was suggested. Growing up in the 80's, one of my buddies had an older brother who was purportedly in the Guardian Angels. He was a big, athletic guy trained in fighting. Sorry, but my impression of the organization is that they are borderline vigilantes. If you want to do "first aid," join St John Ambulance. If you want to be a cop, they are always recruiting. These sorts of amateur, para-police groups just don't have a place in Canada and their activities likely cause more trouble for police than assistance.
You
Jun 3, 2011 at 10:12am
There are no dues and no one is looking for street "cred". As far as I'm aware, you need to be badass to get any "cred", and helping old ladies carry groceries doesn't exactly fall into that category. I think it's a great, and respectable system, and if I wasn't so gaunt I'd surely try to volunteer.
I look forward to the day when I can go downtown without being surrounded by idiots that think being drunk and loud-mouthed makes them big men. And yet I know that will never happen.
Whatever happened to having fun without being stupid about it?
The VPD always make me smile though. And it's because I know that whenever I see them downtown they're kicking asses of people like you that think "dues" and "cred" mean anything. And as for this group, I hope they see an increase in membership and presence. Safe walks are, unfortunately, a needed option in this city. Having seen the creeps hassle female friends of mine when we go out, I hope people use this service
Vespa
Jun 13, 2011 at 5:09pm
I've been a Guardian Angel since 1984 ...and in all that time I have never expected anything .. not even a slight thank you .. that's not my motivation to be out there volunteering my time to ensure people are safe no matter what their personal circumstances are ..that there is my motivation..
To the individual who claimed I'm out here for the "cred" whatever that is supposed to mean in your "lingo"....and that I have to pay my " dues" ..
Your obvious discrediting remarks are to due to your own feelings of shame of not having the ability to reach out to people and lend your hand or your time ...
It's okay though, I completely understand how hard it is for some to do such human acts ...I just hope that one day should you ever need a helping hand, one will be there extended to you.
In the 31 years of Vancouver Guardian Angels history never has there ever been a reported nor claimed incident of vigilante behavior,nor any other type of inappropriate conduct of a Guardian Angel member in Vancouver or any other surrounding community..nor has there ever been any criminal matters brought forward against any Vancouver Guardian Angel..
Each and every Vancouver Guardian Angel has a skill/skills which are paramount to servicing members of the community ...
Here's one in particular situation which happened quite recently ... an Individual was hurt quite badly (obviously just recently assaulted) .. this individual needed help immediately .. it was noted that this individual could not hear .. wow , would you look at that this Guardian Angel is fluent in American sign language !
From trained in martial arts to psychology and behavioral intervention to use of ASL and practical nursing to counseling in addictions... wouldn't you say that is a very compelling mixture of skills to offer while patrolling the streets ... or is that just useless skills to offer because I am a Vancouver Guardian Angel .. I'm sorry how is that not "paying my due"?
I do what I do because I care about people not for glory, not for notoriety for genuine concern for fellow man..please show me the definition of a so called Vigilante in that statement ??... I'm proud of being a Guardian Angel, I'm proud of being able to extend a hand to the best of my abilities ..I'm out there along side of those living the life of the D.T.E.S. ..
Where are you today/tonight .. when they ask for food or just want conversation just to remind themselves they still exist and are still human regardless of their choices or of how they look or feel at the moment? ( there's my dues)
Come on one of my patrols .. maybe we can look at community inclusion in a whole different realm ...
look me up.. Vespa van.guardianangels@gmail.com
Michelle S
Jun 15, 2011 at 10:33am
I'm happy to hear that the Vancouver Guardian Angels are up and running again. The concept of "people helping people" is not a new idea, but the Angels take that ideal and put it into practice. I became a Vancouver/Surrey angel in 1985 and stayed for 3 years. I was a regular teen who stumbled upon a group that helped shape the person I am today. We were taught to respect our community and the people in it, that there was intrinsic value of each resident and everyone deserves just moment of your time. The DTES was a different, more volatile and a less caring place than it is today. I remember attending meetings with Dera and other groups trying to find some way to help this community. One thing that was clear back then, as it still is today, is that the G.A.'s had a place in the process. I believe they still do, the focus has narrowed in on being a responsible citizen rather than the times when breaking up fights, first aid, and making sure people were still breathing in the alleys was a good portion of what we did. I like what I see now, a concerted effort to be proactive, empowering folks to help themselves and the true roots of "people helping people" being of service to others. I don't believe in "street cred" or "paying dues". Credibility is gained when a system is proven and paying my dues is something required by my union. This group is proven to be a benefit to the community at large and their due is the hellos, how are yous? and thanks they get while they are out there. Thanks you guys for "Daring to Care" you're doing a great job.
Robin
Jun 17, 2011 at 3:53pm
Would love the someone from the Calgary Chapter to email me at imtosexy45@yahoo.com i have a problem I would like to discuss because no one with any power is helping me or my 11yr old daughter.
Vespa
Jul 4, 2011 at 8:39pm
Hi Robin , I hope you got my email .. and that the information I sent was of use to you in a any way ... you are more than welcome to contact me should you need further assistance ... I will help in anyway I possibly can ... positive thoughts for you and your daughter.
Vancouver Chapter Commander