Now that I can rest my weary body, I figured I’d update the Guardian Angel patrols and training. Last night we met at 11 pm and patroled until 2:45 am. It felt like we all walked 20 miles, but it was actually 10. Then at 1 pm this afternoon we had a self-defense class. For anyone interested there will be two more patrols tonight. One starts at 7 pm, and the other at 11 pm. Both demonstration patrols will meet at the Radisson on 2nd and Brady. If all that doesn’t disable me, we have work to do around the house tomorrow and the daily grind again Monday. So far it’s been an enjoyable experience. Your comments are welcome.
March 25, 2007 at 5:30 am
Davenport really needs this program. Hopefully there was a good turnout last night for patrol, and again today for the first day of training.
March 25, 2007 at 10:05 am
Last night we had about 16 turn out for the patrol from 11 pm until 2:45 am. At trainiing today we had about 24, with 20 actually participating. Tonight we had about 8 and some excitement. There were shots fired at 5th and Iowa while we were at 5th. and Iowa. Police were called and arrived within 2 minutes and were given the license plate number of the car. For the most part it has been an enjoyable experience and the support of fellow citizens has been overwhelming. It seems we garner more support and volunteers everytime we go on patrol. The 11 pm patrol for tonight just left but I’m sitting this one out. Next weekend we’ll be out on Saturday after training again.
March 25, 2007 at 6:15 pm
5th and Iowa is QCI`s `safe` neighborhood. Just proves that after dark noplace is safe downtown. At least a squad showed up in 2 minutes, and not 2 hours. As you are patroling, do you think the police are also keeping their eye on you? I wouldn’t put it past Bladel to spy on our new enforcement group. If the guy who fired the gun was caught, Bill Lynn should make that very public. That would be a real feather in the GA’s cap, and add to the already wonderful public opinion of this group.
It’s obvious that your committment to this program eats into your personal/family time, and you can be sure that all the neighbors appreciate your efforts to change things SOLO.
March 25, 2007 at 9:53 pm
That Reverand Kirk that was quoted in the QCTimes is one of Jamie Howards buddies, and only pops his head in when he can claim that blacks are being forgotton in Davenport.
If he and Jamie are so concerned, why don’t they get off their bunns and recruit some black people to join the Guardian Angels.
Reverand Kirk and Jamie Howard remind me of Jessie Jackson and his sidekick, Big Al Sharpton.
March 26, 2007 at 12:29 am
Saturday on the last patrol the Guardian Angles also broke up two fights and stopped a drug deal. I haven’t heard the outcome of the shots fired yet, so I don’t know. If the plate isn’t stolen, they’ll be caught. As for Reverand Kirk, the Guardian Angles invite diversity. There were several balck people at the informational meeting, and just for an update, on the last patrol there were 2 young black men, and also 2 females. It will come around I’m sure. We’ve had a lot of encouragement, been offered free office space downtown, and elsewhere so it’s here to stay. The real thanks goes to Miguel Fuentes who comes down from Chicago every weekend to train us.
March 26, 2007 at 4:09 am
What were they shooting at at 5th an Iowa?
March 26, 2007 at 4:50 am
I really don’t know QCI. The car came down Iowa, stopped to talk to one of us then turned west on 5th and squeezed off around 8 rounds. I was at the other end ot the patrol so I just heard it. If Police response is that fast every time a real proplem pops up I’ll be happy. If I find out any more on it, I will let everyone know.
March 26, 2007 at 5:56 am
I was interested in the part where you were saying your patrol had to break up two fights. Were these domestic in nature, or bar brawls? We are interested, as someone was saying that alot of the calls that police respond to on weekends are domestic fights and family disputes.
March 26, 2007 at 7:15 am
Both were outside of bars. We’re still in the learning process until the 3 month training process is over. It might change when we move where we patrol, but we didn’t actually hear any domestic disputes. We did have a woman pull up who claimed he husband kidnapped her daughter. Alderman Lynn took a bunch of information on that, but I haven’t heard anything else. Also if we don’t see it or hear it, we can’t really do anything. I’m a little tired of the news cameras, but they usually leave early so we can learn instead of avoid the camera man. As was stated at the beginning, the first real patrols, with local Guardian Angels, won’t happen until around July. The patrols going on now are just demonstrations to the public, and conditioning for volunteers. We still have 11 weeks of training before we go on actual patrols. If that changes I will let everybody know. Now we have to learn the ropes so no mistakes are made when we’re on own.
March 26, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Do you think that maybe, just maybe, the police are trailing you, keeping at a ear(shots fired) behind your patrol in case you run into some real bad guys? I don’t think you folks are out there on your own yet. The true test will be on a hot busy weekend approx 11 pm or so when the calls for service “runneth over”. Good luck.
March 26, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Joe,
If they are they’re keeping out of sight. We did run into several squads downtown patrolling, but it seemed like we didn’t see any north of 3rd street. If you have a scanner they were busy this weekend too.
March 26, 2007 at 11:36 pm
QCI, About a half a block west of the intersection of 5th and Iowa.
March 26, 2007 at 11:40 pm
Joe, If the police were trailing us, it would of been a real trick to do. We were all over the place, always looking back, doubling back and going places cars couldn’t. Additionally, when they were called, they came from different directions then we did, and they were coming from blocks away. No doubt the officers on the street have far better things to do then follow us around all night.
March 27, 2007 at 12:22 am
Charlie, when a squad is in the vicinity, that mean that they are close by, doesn’t mean line of sight, just close proximity. Just because you didn’t see them doesn’t mean that they weren’t there. You need to check your ego before you get hurt. Its people like you that will give the program a bad name. I would think that if you are out there , one would be smart enough to inform the officers of the area you are patrolling. If you believe in what the GA’s boast “working with local police departments”, then you wouldn’t be putting yourself in harms way by walking through yards and out of the line of sight. Please think before acting. Remember “There’s no such thing as a dead hero!”
March 27, 2007 at 1:40 am
Joe, Calm down buddy. We aren’t going though peoples yards, but open parking lots between one-way streets, walking down the one-ways against traffic (on the sidewalk, incase you want to knit-pick). Just because you don’t follow my meaning, please don’t take that as “my ego”. Also, you said “trailing us” those are the words I was responding to, That is different from being in the vicinity. The DPD patrol officers in the area we are in know full well that we are there. It’s hard to miss a group of people wearing red berets and white t-shirts. (Unless you think that the DPD officers drove by while on their own patrol and didn’t see us, I personally think they did.) Remember, we WANT to be seen. We are a VISIBLE deterrent to crime. As far as the “no dead heroes” comment. Tell that to the recipients of the Congressional Metal of Honor who died to save others. Tell that to the families of the firemen who died on 9/11. No I am not, by any means comparing us to any of them, but yes, there are dead heroes.
March 27, 2007 at 1:45 am
Despite what some commenters would say, a 2 minute response time is not at all unusual for a shots fired call, especially SoLo.
March 27, 2007 at 2:39 am
QCI,
I have to agree that 2 minutes in pretty normal, but calling as Guardian Angels on patrol I have to admit I was hoping. I’m very happy they were quick, professional, and took the report seriously. We owe a big nod to those Policemen.