LEADER, OTTAWA COPS TO DISCUSS PATROLS

Canada's top Guardian Angel is scheduled to arrive in Ottawa on
Monday to educate police about the controversial organization, which
could patrol the streets of the nation's capital.

Angels' national director Lou Hoffer says he's encouraged by the
response he's received from Ottawa police, who want more info about
the volunteer patrollers.

"They called and left numerous messages for me," Hoffer says. "They
want to learn about us and that's all we ask."

At the same time, Hoffer expects he'll learn much from Ottawa police
about the city.

"We'll see how many will dare to care," Hoffer says, referring to one
of his organization's trademarked mottos.

Locals Interested

Ottawa is one of four cities being considered for a Guardian Angels
chapter. Organizing plans are also under way in Calgary, Edmonton and
Vancouver.

Hoffer says he's recently received more than 100 e-mails from Ottawa
residents interested in the organization.

Toronto's mayor and police chief won't meet with the Angels, so
getting a sit-down with the Ottawa cops is a minor coup.

"I'd like to know how they're going to mobilize," says Ottawa police
Deputy Chief Larry Hill.

Ottawa communities, not just the police, would have to embrace the
idea of the Guardian Angels patrolling the streets if the red-beret
volunteers wanted to set up a chapter, Hill adds.

If the Angels decide to pursue an Ottawa chapter, the next challenge
will be logistics.

The not-for-profit organization runs solely on individual and
corporate donations. The Canadian arm of the Angels has yet to
develop a budget or a business plan -- two things private donors
often want to see before tossing cash at an organization. Even if the
Angels successfully organize chapters in Ottawa and the three other
Canadian cities under consideration, they will need private donors to
step forward to provide training and operating funds.