Omaha, Neb. ? A New York-based national citizens patrol group intends to help Omaha combat its increase in gang and gun violence.

Guardian Angels was founded 28 years ago by Curtis Sliwa, who recently visited Omaha.

“It’s rather obvious Omaha has a problem of gang activity that must be dealt with,” he said, referring to the shootings, other violence and graffiti.

The group organizes unarmed citizen patrols and trains members, who later make citizen’s arrests and report suspicions to police.

The group has 86 chapters in nine countries, he said.

Its members can be identified by the red berets and red Guardian Angels jackets they wear.

The group was founded in 1979 by Sliwa, then a night manager for McDonald’s. He and his Angels gained renown and aggravated law authorities with their citizen’s arrests on subway trains and his flair for self-promotion.

Sliwa acknowledged 15 years ago that he had manufactured some of his most dramatic early exploits, including tales of fighting muggers and being kidnapped by transit police officers.

First derided by some critics as a self-appointed vigilante force, the Guardian Angels now boast of its training, support and community empowerment programs that focus on community safety, professional development for educators, school-based anti-bullying courses and Internet safety.

In 1998, the CyberAngels unit was honored at the White House by President Bill Clinton.

Sliwa’s visit was arranged by Greg James, who teaches martial arts in north Omaha.

“He showed us areas with gang problems,” Sliwa said. “These are infamous gangs that exist all over the country.”

“The positive thing that we found from people is that they want to do something about it,” Sliwa said. “When you’re getting that kind of reaction, then you know you’re going to be well-received.”

James is handling local volunteers.

“There’s typical martial arts training that’s involved, how to become a good witness when you see a crime, how the Angels actually conduct a patrol and working closely with local law enforcement so we understand our roles,” he said.

Volunteers can fill several assignments, and those selected for commando forces face a tough 13 weeks of training “just like the Marines,” James said.

He hopes to have patrols on the streets by November.