A small group of concerned citizens has called in reinforcement to help deal with neighborhood crime. After recent reports of several violent robberies and assaults around the peninsula “” including an attack on an elderly woman in her home, armed residential break-ins and commercial robberies at gunpoint “” Point Loma resident Diana Valentine contacted the Guardian Angels to request that they patrol the area.
For a few hours on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 17, three residents and four Guardian Angels walked the Voltaire corridor between Ocean Beach and Point Loma to let it be known that the community is taking notice “” and action “” regarding local crime.
“We want to send a very strong message to people who have criminal activity on their minds that they are not going to be allowed to accomplish that,” Valentine said of her goals for the collaboration.
Valentine said she called Erick Wong, leader of the Guardian Angels’ San Diego chapter, about three weeks ago because she was familiar with the organization’s message of non-violence and education.
Wong noted that the Sunday walk was more about establishing a presence than deterring crime, though a series of weekly foot patrols during the wee hours of the morning will begin Thursday, Sept. 21, at 2 a.m.
“The whole idea is to be a visual deterrent to prevent crime,” Wong said. “If we’re out there in a car, nobody is going to see us.”
As a community watch group comprised entirely of volunteers, Guardian Angels rely on motivated individuals dedicated to the values embodied in their red berets, namely a commitment to vigilance and safety. Contrary to popular misconceptions, however, Guardian Angels are not vigilantes. The nonviolent organization does not advocate force unless it becomes necessary for self-defense or during a citizens’ arrest.
All volunteers endure mandatory training that covers verbal communication skills, private person’s arrest procedures, self-defense and striking techniques, an understanding of the organization and use of force guidelines.
Valentine and a few of her neighbors participated in such a training Tuesday, Sept. 19, so that they can join the Angels on their patrols.
While Wong and his volunteers have been called into other San Diego neighborhoods before, he said he has never experienced this level of community participation.
“This is the very first time since I’ve been a Guardian Angel in San Diego that I’ve actually had residents call me up and say they specifically want our patrols in their area and that they would be willing to join up and get involved in the effort,” he said.
Prior to recruiting the Angels, Valentine spoke with the San Diego Police Department about her options. She said she was dismayed to find that there were no local meetings or events taking place, despite nearly 500 neighborhood watches registered in the area, including one a block away.
Valentine emphasized that a grassroots effort was in order because police are currently operating with a limited staff.
Peninsula Community Relations Officer James Heppell agreed that times are tough, saying the critical staffing shortage has strained all areas of the force, including his office. Heppell was one of four officers handling community inquiries until Sept. 9, when his three co-workers were assigned back into the field to fill vacancies.
“We just don’t have the personnel anymore,” Heppell said. “We’re suffering along with everyone else.”
He was quick to note, however, that crime levels for the area are not on the rise, despite a few attention-grabbing incidences of late.
“They’re holding steady,” he said of the numbers. “There are not a series of armed robberies or break-ins.”
Incidentally, an officer was involved in a pursuit and shooting in Point Loma Heights Saturday, Sept. 16, after responding to a confrontation at a convenience store on the 4100 block of West Point Loma Blvd.
Heppell suggested that residents concerned about crime report any suspicious sightings to the non-emergency number. He said the department needs to know what is going on even if they can’t respond at that time. On the Guardian Angels, Heppell said he encourages them to do the same.
“If they want to be the eyes and ears “” if they want to report crime, they’re welcome.”
Wong said he is working to organize a community meeting in late October to discuss crime and possible solutions, and plans to invite District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer and Police Chief William Lansdowne.
For more information about the local chapter, visit www.guardianangels.org or call (619) 964-8099. To find out more about Valentine’s local efforts, call (619) 559-1778.