CAPITAL DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH CRIME, SO GUARDIAN ANGELS OPT TO STAY AWAY

We just couldn't make the cut.

After spending the Victoria Day long weekend in this "wonderful city,"
the Guardian Angels decided there just wasn't enough crime in Victoria
to warrant them staying.

The U.S.-based crime-watch organization considered starting a new
chapter on Vancouver Island, but after spending more time playing
tourists than crime-fighters, the Guardian Angels decided to leave.

"At no time did I feel unsafe in Victoria, and residents in Victoria
shared the same feeling. In fact, I am told that the condition in that
area is improving," wrote western director Sebastian Metz on the
Vancouver Guardian Angels website.

Metz said he found bouncers at nightclubs to be "professional and
competent" and that the only major problem he encountered was
homelessness and drug addiction.

In his final analysis, Metz decided the Guardian Angels are needed far
more in Vancouver and Surrey.

Bruce Carter, chief executive officer of the Greater Victoria Chamber
of Commerce, is pleased the Guardian Angels won't be coming to Victoria.

He attended a meeting where the Angels' representatives spelled out
why the city wouldn't work for them.

"They said the Guardian Angels do well in areas that have a fair bit
of violent crime because it's what they're good at," Carter said yesterday.

A lot of crime "helps keep a level of excitement up for volunteers who
are walking around in the middle of the night. We don't have that.
It's a good thing. Victoria is not an unsafe place -- we know that."