Chicagoist: Guardian Ang-"El"s

sapient

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:53:31 -0600

I've seen these guys for years. I've always appreciated their presence.

Albanyparkour

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:31:35 -0600

The whole Guardian Angels thing is about being a "presence". They've moved more towards documenting things with video in recent years. They're still crazy and more than a few of them are ultra right-wing cop-wannabes who never became police officers for various, often very good, reasons. Curtis Sliwa is a nutter to end all nutters. I heard this guy go on a tear about how he wanted to "exsanguinate" some criminal. He kept using the word over and over, and I don't think he knew what it meant.

Kevin Robinson

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:26:55 -0600

Um... anyone else bothered that it took the cops that long to respond?

Shannon

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:51:09 -0600

i second what Dig said. i used to ride the Red Line at 6 am for work. nothing ever happened, but i was always wary that something would...and i wouldn't have known what to do if it had. (don't try to diagram that sentence; you'll get a headache.)

Dig

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:14:26 -0600

I was shocked to see them on the train - it's been a couple times now - but as long as they aren't abusive and racist in their actions I'm thrilled to have them. Even if you don't travel in the wee hours and/or alone being a lady on the train can absolutely suck. Not that it's the threat of physical violence, but just the atmosphere of being ogled or bothered with come-ons when you're just trying to get where you're going. To say nothing of guys exposing themselves or masturbating on the train. Usually it's the intoxicated who feel entitled to behave this way, but it's no excuse and doesn't make the situation any lighter or funnier. Perhaps this group will inhibit such behavior. I'd make a donation to them if they do cut down on generaly creepiness caused by certain men on the CTA.

matty

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:09:08 -0600

i remember these guys in the 1980's - back when shit was seriously seriously fucked up out here. I don't know if they did anything other than get themselves into precarious situations.

matilda

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:06:57 -0600

I don't like vigilante justice or the mob mentality, nor anyone who is a wanna-be Batman, but I wish more citizens would take it upon themselves to, at the least, watch out for other, weaker citizens in potentially dangerous situations. A few well placed stares, or an indication that people will fight back, do actually deter some would-be criminals. And an alert attitude makes it harder for pickpockets and the like. If the Angels do such things, and I've yet to see evidence to the contrary, then I thank them for a job well done.

lamgray

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:58:57 -0600

All this does is remind me that there are two new episodes of "Its Alwasy Sunny In Philadelphia" premiering this week. . and this makes me really happy. Outfits are the same to a T. . .hmmmmm.