Curtis DeVance said he's concerned about the escalation he's seen in crime.

"There are a lot of people sitting back waiting for things to happen," he said. But people who aren't trying to help are part of the problem.

"I wanted to be a part of the solution," the Loganville resident said.

DeVance, 48, was one of 12 men who attended the first training session for a new local chapter of the Guardian Angels, a nonprofit citizens patrol group that has 100 chapters around the world.

Scott Koppenhofer, a Guardian Angels official who is coordinating several Pennsylvania chapters, spoke to the group at Crossroads Youth Center in York Wednesday evening.

He ran through the group's rules, from beret maintenance and dress code to patrol protocol. He told them
what they can expect on patrol and urged them to know the Guardian Angels' history.

"We know we can make a difference," he said. "It's happening."

Those who filled out applications and signed pledges will have to complete 12 weeks of training. During that time, they'll complete training patrols in safe areas and study various subjects, including martial arts, conflict resolution, CPR and others.

Koppenhofer said graduation has tentatively been scheduled for October. After that, the chapter can hit the streets. Members are asked to volunteer eight hours each week. The dozen attendees are enough to get a chapter going, he said. As long as there are four people -- the minimum number needed to patrol --

Koppenhofer urged the men not to become discouraged. Sometimes, people decide it's not for them, he said. Others join after they see what the group is doing.

"It's always rocky," he said. "It's always tough in the beginning stages."

Michael Smith, a city resident leading the local effort, said getting the ball rolling on training is key. "It's forward progress," he said.

Rick Smith, 54, said he thinks the group will be able to help.

"I've lived in the city all my life. I've seen it drastically change since the 60s, 70s," he said. "It's just a lot of crime and drugs. . . . I own my home. I'd like to keep the value of it."

DeVance said he liked what he heard from Koppenhofer. He's ready to patrol, even though he acknowledged it will be difficult to fit it in his schedule.

"Public safety is very vital to the quality of life," DeVance said.

WHAT'S NEXT

A local chapter of the Guardian Angels will train at 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays starting next week. An eight-hour "boot camp" session will also be scheduled. Members of the group must complete 90 hours of training to graduate. Chapter officials hope graduation will be in
October.

THE RULES

Scott Koppenhofer, of the Guardian Angels, handed out some of the organization's rules at the first training session Wednesday evening. Among the rules are:

· No weapons, alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia are allowed on patrol or in a Guardian Angels office.

· Members must be searched before patrolling.

· Discrimination is not tolerated.

· No one addicted to drugs or alcohol can participate.

· The group will provide a T-shirt and jacket. Participants must get their own black pants and red beret.