Anonymous donation keeps Guardian Angels in Canada
Last Updated: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 | 6:47 PM ET
CBC News
An 11th-hour donation has brought the Guardian Angels back from the brink of folding in Canada, the group says.
The controversial street-patrolling Guardian Angels of Canada say they are now in Toronto to stay, after initially arranging a news conference Wednesday to announce the organization was shutting down.
Instead, an anonymous donation — organizers refused to disclose details and the amount of money— came in the last minute.
Guardian Angels of Canada director Lou Hoffer said the money will make the organization work better than ever and could put as many as 2,000 new Guardian Angels in 200 new GTA chapters within three months.
J.P. Pampena, who heads the PR firm the Angels consulted about changes to the way they want to operate in southern Ontario, said that e-mail feedback from Torontonians shows citizens want to volunteer for the Angels, but only if they can patrol their own neighbourhoods.
"A lot of those e-mails are indicating to us that they want to be called upon and want to join the organization only if they can work in their own areas," Pampena said.
Group failed in 1982 and 1992
The volunteer foot soldiers made their name in New York City more than 20 years ago, but haven't been received warmly everywhere they go, with critics questioning their effectiveness in reducing crime and accusing them of vigilantism.
This is the third attempt for the Guardian Angels in Toronto, after the group failed in 1982 and again in 1992. Even with the recent donation keeping the Canadian chapter afloat, the group is still $50,000 in debt.
Hoffer described Toronto as a tougher sell than most of the 80 other cities patrolled by Guardian Angles around the world.
"For some reason here in Toronto, due to dare I say apathy, or maybe a 'Hey it's someone else's problem' attitude, our organization has had a hard time getting a foothold in Canada," Hoffer said.
Toronto Mayor David Miller does not support the Guardian Angels.
