“Recent reports suggested that a group located in New York City, called the Guardian Angels, might be making a visit to the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Akron. The group, a vigilante non-violent crime-fighting group, reportedly hopes to put a stop to the crime seen in recent months.”
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Recent reports suggested that a group located in New York City, called the Guardian Angels, might be making a visit to the neighborhoods surrounding the University of Akron. The group, a vigilante non-violent crime-fighting group, reportedly hopes to put a stop to the crime seen in recent months.

Supposedly, the founder of the international organization, Curtis Sliwa, had planned, at the request of the nearby residents of the university, to visit the neighborhood and see if he could establish a Guardian Angels chapter in Akron. However, recent news from the University of Akron Police Department’s Chief Paul Callahan suggests otherwise.

When first reported two weeks ago, UA officials said they could not comment, as they had not heard from the group. However, Callahan said in a brief phone call that UA has made contact with the group but they are not coming.

Callahan said he had spoke with Guardian Angels last week, and said they aren’t coming to Akron.

Numerous attempts have been made to contact the Guardian Angels. However, the contact number listed on their Web site dials a number no longer in service.

The organization, Guardian Angels, say they work to keep communities safe by creating education development and even anti-bullying coursework. The volunteer-based organization holds chapters in almost 100 U.S. cities and 11 different countries. It has also been growing steadily more popular since its establishment in 1979.

When the public first heard Curtis Sliwa visiting Akron, it seemed no officials in the community, including the Akron City Police were aware of the group’s plan to help the area.

It seems that, they never contacted the city law enforcement.

I heard the organization was coming; I am familiar with their work, but I haven’t heard from the actual organization themselves, Chief Matulavich of APD said.

Matulavich said there are citizens currently participating as Block Watch members, or as he calls them, the eyes and ears of the Akron Police. However, if the Guardian Angels do decide to come to Akron, it could only help the city’s community become stronger by creating a more physical presence.

Matulavich said that Akron, although it has had some recent publicity on crime, might not be the amount of crime they’re (the Guardian Angles) used to, say in New York City, Chicago or Boston.

Therefore the Guardian Angles may not be as necessary as everyone presumes Matulavich said. Akron isn’t plagued with crime, but has had only a couple of criminals doing most of the publicized crimes in and around campus, and these few people have already been caught.

Aside from the bad perceptions mounting over the University of Akron’s safety, Matulavich states that the doors are always open, and that if the Guardian Angels ever find Akron as a place where they can help, they are always welcome.

Students concurred with Matulavich’s opinion regarding a vigilanty non-violent crime-fighting group near campus.

Another organization to stop crime on campus always seems like a good idea, junior Jennifer Duvall said. If they’re actually coming, that is.

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