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Pocono News Section
Guardian Angels in the Poconos
Guardian Angels in the Poconos - Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 3:42PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 @ 03:42pm EST
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - A group of volunteer crime fighters is expanding into the Poconos. The Guardian Angels started patrolling Stroudsburg this week.
It's an international organization. They're not police officers but they help fight crime by serving as extra eyes and ears for officials.
The group started patrolling Stroudsburg this week. They have five members and four new recruits. They train in Hamilton Township. Organizers say they are tired of seeing crime in their community.
"Instead of complaining, volunteering and doing something about it was the option to take," said LIsa Morell. She helped organize the Stroudsburg chapter. She got involved because she was robbed in a grocery store parking lot in the middle of the afternoon.
"It's just one of those things that everything happens for a reason," she said.
Lee Lutz wants to wear the red beret because he's also seen crime hit close to home. "Four years ago, my sister was attacked in her sleep. She was stabbed multiple times," he explained.
The volunteers aren't police but they serve as extra eyes and ears for officers. While they learn self defense techniques, they hope they never have to use them. They only get physically involved if they feel threatened or if someone in the community is threatened.
If they run into a problem they try to solve it by talking. But they also need to know how to react if someone gets violent. They leave the rest up to police. And if all works as planned the community feels safer.
The 12 week Guardian Angels training program is free. To learn how to get involved visit or call 570-421-8933. You can also email scmacstroud@hotmail. com.
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