Vigilante group moving into Orlando

[BushOut06]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-cfbriefs18_306dec18,0,3602397.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-orange

Looks like the Guardian Angels are wanting to set up shop here in Orlando. Frankly, I'm concerned about the idea of a non-regulated group of roughnecks riding around and making citizen's arrests. I heard their founder, Sliwa, on one of our local radio stations today, talking about putting "perps" facedown in the concrete until cops arrive, and leaving it to Oprah to figure out why they're doing what they're doing.

[aikoaiko]

1. I wouldn't worry, they tend to more good than harm.

As long as certain lines get crossed, I wish more people would act like the Guardian Angels.

[tridim]

3. Except for the blackmail they're just dandy.

Maybe they just do that here, but that's how I see it. Pay us and we'll watch your car, or else "who knows what'll happen to it, wink wink".

[aikoaiko]

10. Write or call the police or GA HQ if you see them engaging in criminal behavior.

There's always been some trouble with the GA, but still, they are often helpful.

Community action within law is a good thing.

[tridim]

12. I don't think what they're doing is technically illegal

Just really really immoral and lame. They take advantage of people's fears to make some tax-free scratch.

I would be happy to pay them a few bucks to watch my car if they were to say something like, "It's a suggested donation for the services we provide, however you're not required to pay us."

[fishnfla]

2. I heard him on the show too, twice now

I dont know enough about the GA to comment,but that guy Sliwa is annoying. Sounded to me like a smooth-talking charlatan

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. heh.

A few years ago the History Channel had a series on famous books and one of the episodes covered "Don Quixote." They had this Silwa guy on as one of the commentators and I couldn't imagine why. Then it struck me- here's a delusional kook who think's he's some sort of hero.

I think he's pretty much harmless. And what's he doing in Orlando of all places?

[BushOut06]

5. Orlando's murder rate is rising rapidly

I don't know enough about the GA either, but from what I heard on the radio, he sounded like a right-winger to me. He talked about getting the support of Guliani in New York like it was a badge of honor.

[cordelia106]

6. The Guardian Angels are not a group of 'roughnecks'..

...As a former New Yorker ,now a resident of Boston, I always was glad of their presence on the subway
and street.

[BushOut06]

7. Do you think they should be allowed to detain people against their will?

I'm concerned about their lack of professional training, going into high-crime neighborhoods, and making "citizen arrests". What's the difference between what the Guardian Angels are doing, and what the Minutemen are doing on the US border?

[aikoaiko]

11. Not much difference between the two

People at DU just don't like them because because they are mostly rightwingers and we're sympathetic to the economic plight of illegal immigrants, but the GA and Minutement of cut form the same clothe -- lawfully taking action against criminal activity in their communities. Again, its acting within the law that is important. There is always a danger of overzealous behavior and criminal behavior, but community action is a good thing.

[Skarbrowe]

8. I'm wanting to move back to Orlando, but the crime is awful.

I lived there 2001-2003 and my apartment was fairly safe. Since I left, I've heard from friends and read reports that the crime rate has gone sky high. Had a few people tell me that if you have an apartment, especially on the SW side near the "Parks" you can count on having at least one break-in to your apartment. They are using keys from management or that new lock busting thing I've seen on the news. So technically some insurance companies aren't even calling it a "break-in." Cars are being stolen from apartment parking lots constantly. And obviously I'm just talking about apartment living, not all the murders and other awful things that are going on.

I think there is a lot of gang activity. I'm probably sounding dumb as a rock for saying "I think", it's just that it was very quiet where I lived a few years ago and I've heard so many horror stories since I left. If the presence of the GA could cut down on any of this I would welcome them in a heart beat. I'm assuming that it's mostly their presence that is supposed to hopefully block some of this crime, right?

Anyway, I want to move back up there in the next couple of months and I wish I felt better about my chances of not being robbed or murdered were just a little better than they are right now. I really can't make it back to rural Indiana, where someone did walk through an unlocked door and steal a neighbor's bowl full of change, leaving an expensive stereo, TV, jewelry, stuff like that, behind. :)

[Warpy]

9. I used to appreciate seeing them on the subways

They had the same watchfulness as paranoid gang members, but they were far less likely to try to steal my backpack.