To whom it may concern:

There is a vigilante group called “Philadelphia Guardian Angels” patrolling the city of Philadelphia in an effort to fight crime. While they may believe they are helping, in reality, they are doing more harm than good. They are also infringing upon the constitutional rights of other Philadelphians, and we must do something about it!

The Philadelphia Guardian Angels are targeting less fortunate Philadelphians, especially homeless panhandlers suffering from drug addictions and other mental illnesses. Even though panhandlers may be a nuisance to some, they are not doing anything illegal, as panhandling is protected under our 1st amendment rights. However, these vigilantes are harassing and intimidating these panhandlers, forcing them to give up their personal property. Granted, it is drugs that these vigilantes are stealing, and we understand that possession of drugs is illegal, but theft of personal property is also illegal. So, even though they are trying to fight crime, they are committing crimes in the process.  

               These targeted attacks on suffering addicts are uncalled for, as they are doing little to fix the bigger problem at hand. For one, they are not offering the addicts any help whatsoever. They are not trying to convince the addicts to get treatment, nor are they providing outreach or resources for the addicts to get help in the future. Secondly, stealing drugs from these addicts will only create MORE CRIME! Once these addicts lose their drugs, they will have to commit more crimes to get money to replace the drugs they had stolen from them. So, in reality, these vigilantes are causing more problems for the community they are “protecting.”

               We must stop these vigilantes because they are breaking the law through the use of intimidation, harassment, and theft. They are also violating the rights of other Philadelphians, who are only exercising their 1st amendment rights by panhandling. 

               We urge you to take action against these so-called “Guardian Angels” who are violating the constitutional rights of others and bending the law to how they see fit. Philadelphia has no place for vigilante warriors who do more harm than good.

Sincerely,

Concerned Citizens