Полиция и порядок. Артемьева О.А - 24 стр.

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They originally called themselves The Magnificent Thirteen, because, says Curtis, “what we were doing was truly magnificent.” Now,
he gets undisputed authority over 700 Guardian Angels in New York and has started chapters in 18 other American cities. Curtis is the
darling of the media, hero of the public. Curtis says (he can’t prove) that the Angels have made 12 civilian arrests, saved two lives,
and prevented many rapes, assaults and muggings.
The Police department accuse the Angels of refusing to cooperate, but Curtis says he has to avoid the police. A policeman with a
gun and a stick has a duty to stop you smoking and playing your radio loud. How can they get respect?
The Angels have a different style. They are unarmed, although trained in martial arts, and many of them look younger than the
minimum age of 16. Their patrols cover streets, parks, subways and housing estates. If they catch an offender they make a civilian
arrest (they are never too gentle with suspects), but their main aim is to act as a deterrent to crime.
Yet radical as they have been in effect, the Angels’ methods and mentality are strictly traditional. Curtis explains: “there are
good guys and bad guys and they all have guns”. He is nostalgic for the America his grandparents told him about where people took
care of each other and walked their neighbourhood streets without fear. Curtis thinks that the crime has nothing to do with politics or
poverty. He argues that greed and dishonesty now infect street criminals and bank presidents alike. Discipline, dedication and
adherence are the qualities that are necessary. Candidates must have a recommendation from another Angel before going through an
interview and a training process.
Why do they do it? Lisa Evens, 23 year old second in command, joined up after five people in her block were murdered in one
year. She maintains that a thanks from the public is better than a five dollar bill. What we get out of it is a feeling of satisfaction,
respect and recognition.
Task 1. Find words or phrases which mean the same as:
- начала борьбу с преступностью;
- защищать жителей;
- применение силы;
- предотвращать изнасилования и нападения;
- обвинять в отказе от сотрудничества;
- полицейский с оружием и дубинкой;
- они ловят правонарушителей;
- сдерживание преступности;
- преступление не имеет ничего общего с бедностью;
- дисциплина и преданность;
- чувство удовлетворения, уважения и признания.
Task 2. Now complete these statements by choosing the answer, which you think, fits best.
2.1. In the article as a whole we learn that the Guardian Angels are principally concerned with
a) protecting subway commuters;
b) preventing violent crimes;
c) arresting violent criminals;
d) bringing crime to public notice.
2.2. The reaction of the city authorities to the Angels is
a) favourable;
b) unfavourable;
c) mixed;
d) indifferent.
2.3. Curtis feels that the police are not respected because they
a) carry unnecessary weapons;
b) victimise the younger generation;
c) are often concerned with trivial offences;
d) are not representative of the population.
2.4. If attacked, a Guardian Angel is likely to
a) use physical force as a defence;
b) draw a weapon in extreme cases;
c) call for the help of the police;
d) put up no violent resistance.
2.5 Curtis believes that the reason for the high crime rate lies in
a) the influence of violence seen on television;
b) the failure of the police to convict criminals;
c) the decline in public morality in recent years;
d) the social problems caused by high unemployment.
Focus on Discussion. Do you have such a band of teenagers fighting against the crime in your country? Would you like to join
one? Why? Why not? What is you attitude to such informal organisations of young people?

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