Sundown was the Guardian Angels' signal to start their safety march.
They weren't armed. They weren't passing out information. But they were a presence. advertisement
And the motorists who passed them showed their appreciation through honks and waves as the civilian law enforcement group walked along 32nd Street in east Phoenix on Monday.
"This is a diseased area," said Brodie Broderson, leader of the Apache Junction chapter.
The Guardian Angels will patrol the streets of east Phoenix at least through the weekend.
The group volunteered to provide another layer of protection after two series of shootings left 11 people dead and dozens wounded.
On Monday night, seven members of the Apache Junction chapter focused their efforts near 32nd Street and Indian School Road, close to where a woman was found slain in her car June 29.
Police believe she was the latest victim of the "Baseline Killer," who has been linked to six homicides and three robberies. He is suspected in 21 attacks, including additional robberies and sexual assaults.
He and the "Serial Shooter," who is believed responsible for 34 random shootings and five homicides, continue to elude authorities.
Members of the Guardian Angels, with their telltale berets and white T-shirts, hope their visibility will encourage people to not live in fear.
"Catching him is in the background of some of our minds," said Robert McClintick, the group's western regional adviser. "We mostly want to be out there and let people know we're here for (them)."
The Guardian Angels trains its volunteers in citizen arrests, criminal code, self-defense and first aid to conduct anti-crime patrols. The group focuses on crime prevention through community empowerment and education. There are about 60 chapters worldwide.
Broderson said the group would be visible in the community as long as it takes.
"This is a serious thing," Broderson said.
"I feel partially guilty. We waited (to patrol) because we thought, 'Oh, they'll catch him.' "
Detective Andy Hill, a Phoenix police spokesman, said the group is welcome to patrol "as long as they obey the law."
"We'd like them to be as safe as possible," Hill said. "Obviously, we hope they'll be a deterrent."
The group has appealed for help from chapters in neighboring states. McClintick said it could be a nationwide effort.
Erick Wong, leader of the San Diego chapter, will arrive in Phoenix today.
He said by phone Monday that he's volunteering out of a desire to help.
"It just really gets me pumped up when I hear about innocent people being victimized," Wong said.
