Guardian Angels find public support in Brockton

The Enterprise of Brockton, Mass.www.enterprisenews.comBy Kyle AlspachENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER BROCKTON — Two men in a sport-utility vehicle were driving down Centre Street Saturday afternoon when they spotted Curtis Sliwa, the well-known founder of the Guardian Angels.They pulled over."Hey!" one of the men shouted through the window, before reaching out to shake Sliwa's hand. "Welcome!"Sliwa, who traveled from his home in New York City for the occasion, is hoping to start a citizen patrol force in Brockton in response to escalating violence."We will approach the gangs, we will step up to them," Sliwa said Saturday. "We will actually cherry pick off peripheral gang members who are the wannabes and posers ... If they want to join something, why not join us?"Sliwa said he hopes the Brockton squad will contain 8-12 residents. Three have already started training.Patrols could start as soon as late June, after the Brockton group has undergone three months of training, he said.