Guardian Angels Patrol Mackenzie Street

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At the Mac's Store on May Street, the Guardian Angels and Thunder Bay Police share a moment
At the Mac's Store on May Street, the Guardian Angels and Thunder Bay Police share a moment
The Guardian Angels are making Mackenzie Street a priority area.
The Guardian Angels are making Mackenzie Street a priority area.

White Guardian Angels Jersey’s Pepper South Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY – People along the Evergreen Neighbourhood can expect to see a lot more of the Guardian Angels this summer. And except for a few limited number of people, the Angels are being welcomed to the neighbourhood with open arms.

A patrol of Guardian Angels, walking the alley’s and roads in the area saw some of the base causes of problems in the neighbourhood. While there is a lot of positive happening in the area, more work is needed.

Friday night the Thunder Bay Police were in the area, relaying some of the parties, hot spots and problem areas with the Guardian Angels.

Residents Express Concern over Construction Danger

People in the neighbourhood relay that part of the problem comes from construction work on many of the streets that crime has increased. One individual relayed how with the street lights out, the dark streets are a real concern.

Calls to the City have not generated any action according the residents who spoke to NetNewsLedger and the Guardian Angels. Perhaps it is time for Mayor Hobbs to take the time on his walkabout Wednesdays and check up on how things are going in the area?

Construction debris left on residential streets with nails sticking out present an obvious danger
Construction debris left on residential streets with nails sticking out present an obvious danger

It is not just the issues with crime, the construction crews are leaving piles of boards, some with nails sticking out of them, just waiting for a problem. The liability issues would likely end up on the City of Thunder Bay’s plate.

Mackenzie Street has become a stroll for sex trade workers. Guardian Angels Canada are vowing to make an impact on that after hearing the complaints from people in the neighbourhood. Ian Hodgkinson is looking to start posting licence plates of the vehicles picking up some of the very young women who are on the streets.

“I’ll get a sign that says ‘Leave the Young Girls Alone’ and carry it on the street,” states Hodgkinson.

The vehicle with the brake lights on had just picked up a very young sex trade worker. The Guardian Angels are planning to take action to slow the trade and protect the under-age girls
The vehicle with the brake lights on had just picked up a very young sex trade worker. The Guardian Angels are planning to take action to slow the trade and protect the under-age girls

Along Mackenzie Street, and just off the street, the Guardian Angels noted some areas where they plan to focus greater attention. The issue of young under-age girls on the streets in the sex trade is one that really gets Hodgkinson’s blood boiling. The idea that middle-aged and older men are using these young women and damaging them for life does not sit well the the single father.

Through the night, the former WCW wrestler was being thanked for the efforts the Guardian Angels were making. Hodgkinson who wrestled as Vampiro was quick to spread the thank-yous out to his growing team of Guardian Angels.

The news isn’t all gloom though, walking from nine to just after eleven with the Guardian Angels, it was easy to lose count of how many people stopped to thank the patrol and share that they hope working together, that there will be even brighter days ahead.

That day will likely come. There are many people taking different approaches in the area.

At the Mac's Store on May Street, the Guardian Angels and Thunder Bay Police share a moment
At the Mac’s Store on May Street, the Guardian Angels and Thunder Bay Police share a moment

A nice way to finish the night was at the Mac’s Store on May Street – a young mother with her baby in a stroller asked if the Guardian Angels would walk her home. She was concerned about walking alone.

The areas around downtown and the residential neighbourhoods can expect to see far more White Jerseys on their streets as the Guardian Angels continue ramping up their efforts.

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James Murray
NetNewsledger.com or NNL offers news, information, opinions and positive ideas for Thunder Bay, Ontario, Northwestern Ontario and the world. NNL covers a large region of Ontario, but are also widely read around the country and the world. To reach us by email: newsroom@netnewsledger.com Reach the Newsroom: (807) 355-1862