Skepticism lingers about Guardian Angels

SUSSEX-Since the inception and graduation of Curtis Sliwa's latest clan of the Guardian Angels in Sussex Borough seven weeks ago, there has been both optimism as well as skepticism among the borough as to what exactly the group is accomplishing. At the past three Sussex Borough Council meetings, a group of residents have been showing up to voice their opinions about the Guardian Angels. "There are a couple of Guardian Angels that I question. Certain people should not be out on the streets; I happen to know that one person has a bad past history," said Patty Decker, representative of the Neighborhood Watch and long time borough resident. But Decker didn't agree with all the criticism of the Angels. "Some of the complaints are legitimate and some are bogus," she said. "There are both pros and cons to the Guardian Angels." "Anywhere the Guardian Angels have gone, they have been met with acceptance and rejection," said the Jim Ezzo, chapter leader of the Sussex Borough Guardian Angels. The Neighborhood Watch, which began last summer and preceded the Angels, also acts as a community force and presence on the streets of the borough, which hasn't had a police department since 1991. The group works closely with the state police, which patrols the town, and calls them on any questionable occurrences. The group has about four members who volunteer their time using radios and their own cars to patrol. Like the Angels, the Neighborhood Watch is backed by the mayor but financially self-sufficient. Ezzo, who was also instrumental in organizing the Neighborhood Watch, believes strongly that both groups can work together. "When I was part of the Neighborhood Watch is when I began calling Curtis Sliwa to talk about starting a chapter here," he said. "I was not certain it would happen. Now that we are both around, there seems to be some issues that we have to straighten out. People are saying we are a street gang imported from the South Bronx." Ezzo said that all of the Guardian Angels are local and come from the borough or surrounding towns. He said that background checks were done on all candidates and proper training completed. Since graduation, a few Angels who were questionable have been let go, he said, and new ones are being recruited. The Neighborhood Watch complains that the Guardian Angels do not call the police in certain instances because the Angels know the people involved and want to give them a warning first. "If an incident occurs, the cops should be called whether you know the people or not. They are too lax," commented Decker. "We are first and foremost friends to the people of Sussex Borough. We don't chase people," Ezzo said. "A lot of these stories that are coming back to us cannot be verified." Although Decker had an opportunity to become a Guardian Angel, she chose not too. "I didn't want to switch over to the Angels because our presence on the street is not obvious," she said, noting that the Neighborhood Watch wears normal clothes while the Angels wear distinctive red jackets and berets. "Criminals do not know we are there, so it is easy for us to find them and call the police." Ezzo is trying to take a positive approach: "If I can keep my group on task, it will work, and I welcome anyone who has a complaint or concern to visit our headquarters on Main Street." Both Ezzo and Decker say they have total respect for each other and share the same goal of making Sussex a safe place to visit and live. A sign that perhaps early problems are being ironed out was that this week's council meeting was the first since the Angels arrived at which no member