Massachusetts Chapter

"Keeping It Safe"
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ABOUT THE MASSACHUSETTS GUARDIAN ANGELS AND THE BROCKTON CHAPTER: A LITTLE HISTORY

     The history of the Guardian Angels in Massachusetts has been somewhat colorful, and in past times chaotic, as the organization at various times has had groups organized in various cities, some of which lasted quite some time, others of which didn't.  Chapters have since the 1980s existed in Boston, Springfield, Brockton, and New Bedford.  Early on, e.g. in the 1980s and 1990s, chapters had a difficult time remaining established due in part to national controversy enveloping the entire Alliance of Guardian Angels. For example, when the organization first formed in 1979 it did not have some of the cordial relations with city governments and police departments as it does today; this caused significant friction and difficulty maintaining organizational stability.   Frankly, at other times, problems with leadership have led chapters to fold.

     Currently (as of this writing in the fall of 2011) the Massachusetts Guardian Angels are headquartered in Brockton, Massachusetts.  The Brockton chapter began when in 2007 one Brockton resident decided he was tired of being victimized by violent street criminals in the city.  
     After a series of emails and phone calls were exchanged, this resident began training with the Boston chapter of the Angels (at that time the primary Angels chapter in the state), where connections were made with other members living in the Brockton area.  
     In March of 2008, after hosting a press conference involving international Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, the Brockton chapter officially launched operations and began regular patrols in the city, with some assistance from members of the Boston chapter.  Eventually the Brockton chapter was able to train and patrol independently of the Boston chapter.
     Unfortunately, due to some leadership issues in the Boston chapter, that chapter--which at the time was the epicenter of Angel activity statewide--collapsed.  Ironically, this lead to its onetime offshoot, the Brockton chapter, assuming organizational control of the Angels statewide, including some of the remnants of the Boston chapter.  
     Since 2009, as the Brockton chapter has developed a solid cadre of members and experienced leaders (without some of the problems endemic in other chapters like Boston, such as rivalries and unnecssary conflict), the chapter was given the task by the National Office of the Alliance of Guardian Angels of reorganizing the Guardian Angels statewide.  As a result, today the Angels in Massachusetts are known as the Massachusetts Guardian Angels, with the process underway of reestablishing patrols in cities and towns all over the state.  

The Guardian Angels welcomes members who would like to sign up, train, and patrol with us, and organize patrols in communities that don't have them.  If you'd like to join the Guardian Angels and become part of this exciting statewide project, or at least have us visit your Massachusetts city or town, please click here.