The Guardian Angels are a volunteer anti-crime organization that operate in the United States, Europe, Brazil, and Japan. It provides several community service programs, including safety and observation patrols, courses in self-defense, and urban beautification. The organization was founded in New York City in 1979 by Curtis Sliwa, a McDonald's manager and community activist.

Safety patrols are the main focal point of the Guardian Angels. Its members, who can be identified by their red berets and jackets, perform numerous patrols within many major cities, to serve as a visual deterrent to crime and to assist the police in reporting suspicious activity. They are also trained in the use of a citizen's arrest. In 1995, the Guardian Angels expanded their role to the Internet through its CyberAngels organization, which provides education about online crime and child pornography.

Since the organization's inception, six Guardian Angels have been killed while performing their duties.

External links

• http://www.guardianangels.org - Guardian Angels official website
• http://www.cyberangels.org - CyberAngels official website
• http://www.guardianangels.or.jp - Guardian Angels Japanese chapters