Looking to make Sacramento a safer place after dark, two citizens' patrol groups will be out this weekend.

With their first training Wednesday night, the Lavender Angels will be joining the long-established Guardian Angels in serving as extra sets of eyes and ears for police and providing basic community services.

Now headed by the Gay and Lesbian Center, the Lavender Angels program is designed to make the Lavender Heights area anchored around 20th and K streets a safer place at night.

The intersection has a high concentration of bars and night clubs, and according to police, about 10 robberies per month are committed in Midtown against people out after dark, usually on their own in poorly lit areas.

“It’s a really awesome partnership between our community, the business community and the public safety community,” said Wendy Rae Hill of the Gay and Lesbian Center.

The Midtown Business Association is on board, as is the Sacramento Police Department.

“We’re very excited about this program,” Lt. Mike Bray said to the 15 Lavender Angels present at the training session. “Anytime we can get help doing our job ... the better. It makes your community safer and our job easier.”

Bray discussed the type of information the Lavender Angels could provide to police and gave tips on how to stay safe.

The Lavender Angels made it clear that they are not law enforcement and are mainly there to be a visual deterrence to criminals and recognizable safe contacts for anyone needing assistance.

The Lavender Angels will wear purple uniforms when they are out.

Another group of Sacramentans is part of a larger international organization – the Guardian Angels – which was established 31 years ago.

“Basically, we patrol the street to deter crime and educate people against drugs, gangs and violence,” said Patrick Kent, head of the Sacramento chapter.

Kent, who was also at the Lavender Angels training session, said he wants both groups to work in partnership, and added that he thinks the Lavender Angels program is a good idea and will keep the Guardian Angels from having to patrol the area.

“We generally will patrol once a week,” Kent said. “We don’t always do a set day, like Saturdays between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., because if we did, then the criminal element would know when we’re out.”

Kent described his group as being “a bit more extreme” than the Lavender Angels, as Guardian Angels occasionally make citizens’ arrests.

The Guardian Angels also cover a much wider area, including patrols down Watt Avenue where drug trafficking and prostitution are problems.

"We pay attention to the news and the problem areas, and we focus our attention there," Kent said.

Their main objective, however, is still working with police and letting professional law enforcement officers handle any problems.

“Our primary goal is just a visual deterrent,” Kent said.

Both groups plan on being out for the Second Saturday Art Walk this weekend, and both groups will check in with police before their shifts.

To contact the Lavender Angels, e-mail lavender.angels@saccenter.org, and to contact the Guardian Angels, go to their website. 

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.