Guardian Angel Erick Wong, right, gives information on the organization to Lela Willacey and Darryl Duling, both of Las Vegas, on Fremont Street on Saturday. Photo by Sara Tramiel.

Wearing a signature red beret and jacket with the words "Guardian Angels" emblazoned on the back, Robert McClintick strutted down Fremont Street like a platoon sergeant.

Five more men, dressed like McClintick and toting handcuffs and flashlights, followed. They nodded at passers-by and stopped briefly to speak with a store owner near Sixth Street.

McClintick, western regional director for the Guardian Angels, said the organization plans to maintain a presence on Fremont Street, including the area east of Las Vegas Boulevard with a reputation as the city's open-air drug and sex market.

"We're here for the community so people can ride the bus and walk the streets and feel safe," McClintick said.

The Guardian Angels are starting a chapter in Las Vegas for the first time in more than 20 years, said Weston Conwell, regional coordinator.

Founded in 1979 in New York City, the Guardian Angels patrol city streets, call the police when they see crime and sometimes make citizen's arrests of suspects. They are unarmed but are trained in self-defense, legal issues and basic first aid.

They've not been without critics over the years. In the 1980s, then-New York City Mayor Ed Koch denounced group members as vigilantes with little accountability. They have since received awards from New York City Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg and have won praise from former President Clinton.

Their effort to organize locally is receiving support from some Las Vegas officials.

"The Guardian Angels are certainly just another resource to be the eyes and ears to any impropriety," said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who met with Conwell to discuss the group's goals. "I welcome them to the community."

Las Vegas Councilman Gary Reese, whose district includes parts of Fremont Street, sees potential for the group to do good in Las Vegas. But he was concerned someone could get hurt if they make arrests.

"I would never support them without the blessing of the sheriff," Reese said, adding that he doesn't want them to "infringe upon what Metro is doing."

Conwell, who has lived in Las Vegas for six years and is a 25-year veteran of the Guardian Angels, said he is to meet with Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie in about two weeks.

Bill Cassell, spokesman with the Metropolitan Police Department, said police hope the Guardian Angels obey the law.

"If there is any individual or group that wants to be an extra set of eyes and ears for Metro, they can do so. The Police Department is always willing to take those phone calls" alerting police to crimes, Cassell said. "But anyone who undertakes this has to understand that they have to follow the law and they have no standing other than that of a private citizen."

The Guardian Angels, who have about six local members, have been in Las Vegas before. In 1982, they started a chapter but disbanded after a few months because of dwindling membership.

One man who seemed pleased that the Guardian Angels were patrolling Fremont Street on Saturday was tourist Paul Harmon, 54, of Granville, Ohio. While walking behind the group near Sixth Street on Saturday afternoon, Harmon said he felt more secure with the group on hand. Harmon said there appeared to be a greater risk of crime in downtown Las Vegas than on the Strip, where he usually stays.

As he walked with the Guardian Angels, Harmon noted that no one was bothering him.

"I don't know if criminals are afraid of them or me," he joked.