THUNDER BAY -- The city’s mayor wants to see the Guardian Angels in Thunder Bay.
Former professional wrestler Ian Hodgkinson, also known as Vampiro in the ring, met with Mayor Keith Hobbs on Wednesday to discuss establishing a chapter of the volunteer-run public safety organization.
“We have a lot of issues in the city and I think Ian – Vampiro – has come to us at a great time and I’ve had a great meeting with him today,” said Hobbs, adding he’s done some research on the Guardian Angels and knows Hodgkinson personally.
“I know Ian’s heart is in the right place and I know there is a fear out there of vigilantism and I can guarantee and assure the public that is not what we’re after here. I view the Guardian Angels as another neighbourhood watch, as another citizens group on patrol.”
Hodgkinson said the local chapter would focus first on community outreach, particularly on youth programs before it considered any safety patrols in the city.
Hodgkinson met with Thunder Bay Police Service Chief J.P. Levesque on Tuesday.
When first hearing the group wanted to set up in the city, Levesque said he was apprehensive.
The group doesn’t have a great track record of sustaining themselves in Canada and Levesque said he was worried the safety patrols could lead to vigilantism.
However, after meeting with Hodgkinson, Levesque is more optimistic about the Guardian Angels.
“He kind of put my mind at ease a little bit as far as what they’re actually looking for here in Thunder Bay,” said the chief.
Both the mayor and police chief have asked for a business plan and are planning to meet with Hodgkinson again on Thursday.
Hodgkinson said he feels everyone is on the same page and he understands the fears of vigilantism in the Guardian Angels.
“We’ve got to make sure that everybody understands very clearly that it’s not on the agenda. That doesn’t exist in the Guardian Angels and it’s not going to happen,” he said after his meeting with Hobbs at city hall.
The Guardian Angels also have high ethical and legal standards and screen potential applicants before allowing them to join the safety patrols. That includes criminal background checks.
But for their other programs, Hodgkinson said everyone is welcome no matter their age, sex, race or religion.
The Guardian Angels formed in New York in 1979 and are in 117 countries.
Anyone looking for more information on the Thunder Bay chapter can visit the Guardian Angels Canada Facebook page.
