In an effort to quell the violence in a city that's been rattled with four murders since January, today's Herald announced that the Guardian Angels will be moving in on Brockton. As a NY-based vigilante group, the Guardian Angels consider themselves community activists who roam from city to city to offer their presence. Despite the fact that they've had minimum success in Dorchester, the Guardian Angels feel it's their duty to become uninvited guests in downtown Brockton.
Personally, I'm kind of sick of the bad rap that Brockton constantly receives in the press and among people that have never step foot there. Like any big city, there are obviously problems with gangs, drugs, and crime. However, I'd challenge any other city with the same demos and population of Brockton to give their citizens the same quality of life.
Once you've learned how to survive in a city like Brockton (having a bad ass exterior helps), it's a remarkably fantastic place to live and work. With the addition of two new train stations and the recent housing boom, Brockton has become an attractive, affordable option for south of the city dwellers. Outside of violent incidents in certain neighborhoods, 95% of the city is in pretty good shape.
The Guardian Angels may portray themselves to be the "good guys" but the truth is that the vast majority of Brockton residents are already the "good guys". They don't need to walk around in red jackets and intimidate neighborhoods to prove that. Neighborhood watch groups already co-exist with the Brockton Police Department and for the most part it's worked out pretty well. Stay out, Guardian Angels, and let Brockton deal with their own.
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4 comments:
"Stay out, Guardian Angels, and let Brockton deal with their own."
I love when Masshole Sherrie comes out to play! ;)
Actually the Angels are not uninvited guests. How can you be an uninvited guest in your own home??? I am a member of the Angels, and I own a home in Brockton. I've merely invited my own organization to consider patrolling here.
Bruce Burleson
Obviously you have not done your homework where the Guardian Angels are concerned. The Angels are a well-trained VISUAL DETTERENT first and foremost. They function as additional eyes and ears for the local law enforcement. While I have respect for anyone that is trying to help clean up this city, most neighborhood watch members sit in their homes and report what they see from behind their curtains or blinds. Groups like the GA and Peace Crusaders get out into the community and actually interact where the problems are.
I don't know where you live in Brockton, but I can't walk a block in my neighborhood without being approached to buy drugs, step over a needle (near 2 schools) or a crack bag, or see a deal go down. I hear gunshots often, and see hookers as well. If getting more visual opposition helps resolve this, or makes it easier for our already overworked police force to do their jobs, I am all for it!
Wow, some comments you got on this post!
How far is Brockton from where you live?
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