LV Guardian Angels’ new recruits mark renewal of crime-fighting crew

Eight new members of the civilian street patrol group Guardian Angels graduated Sunday, marking the official opening of the organization's chapter in Las Vegas.

The eight Las Vegas graduates, ages 15 to 48, spent about five months learning martial arts, first aid and legal issues, said Weston Conwell, regional coordinator for the group.

He said the Guardian Angels will patrol primarily in downtown near the Fremont Street Experience and the area near Tropicana Avenue and Interstate 15. Both areas are known for having a lot of drug activity and prostitution.

But Conwell added that the group would be willing to patrol "anywhere we're needed."

One new member, 15-year-old Brenton Avery, said he joined the Guardian Angels as an alternative to gangs or other youth-related crimes.

Avery, a Western High School sophomore, said his mother is also a member and wasn't worried for his safety.

Another graduate, Marci Bush, 48, said she became a Guardian Angel to make the community safer.

"People complain about the crime, but I wanted to do something," she said.

Founded in 1979 in New York City, the Guardian Angels patrol streets and call police when they witness crimes. Sometimes, the members make citizens arrests of suspects.

The members are unarmed but are trained in self-defense.

The Guardian Angels started a chapter in Las Vegas in 1982, but disbanded it shortly afterward because of a lack of members.