Richmond Free Press
Happenings

Personality: Jo E. White

Spotlight on founder of the Richmond Guardian Angels

     Jo E. (for Eloise) White believes in being a proactive citizen.

     “If people don’t show an interest in their own community, then it will be difficult for others to care,” she says.

     That’s why the soft-spoken, 51-year-old is the founder and commander of the Richmond Guardian Angels, an offshoot of the famed New York anti-crime organization.
     By wearing the trademark uniform of a red beret, red jacket and white shirt, she says the Richmond Guardian Angels are showing a willingness “to stand
up and help where needed,” instead of sitting on the sidelines as others do.
     “We are not the police,” the bespectacled Mrs. White says firmly, clearly defining the role of the local Angels.
     “We are in close contact with the police, but we are not the police. I don’t want us to be viewed as police or vigilantes.”
     Instead, she wants her group to be seen as citizens willing to go into the community to keep an eye on what is going on and inform police about conditions to help officers do a better job of protecting residents.
     That’s a principal reason she leads the Richmond members on walking patrols in uniform for two to three hours on Friday and Saturday nights, primarily in
Highland Park on North Side.
     “Police can’t be all places at all times, and neither can we. But a few extra sets of eyes and ears certainly helps,” says Mrs. White, the wife of a Richmond
native and Army veteran.
     She also wants this group to be known for its community service. So under her leadership, the Guardian Angels also take part in an array of other activities
— ranging from a cemetery cleanup to supporting health initiatives, youth programs and job initiatives.
     Mrs. White t akes on her duties despite a busy schedule as the full-time partner in a Richmond construction business.
     She got involved with the Angels three years ago when she teamed with another resident,  Thomas Cox, to start a Neighborhood Watch for the Highland
Park area.
     Mrs. White was ready to do more after gunshots in a Highland Park neighborhood park raised concern.
     At the request of the area’s City Council representative, Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District, she and Mr. Cox began talking with police about organizing a
citizen patrol group.
     Mrs. White says that being from New Jersey and familiar with the Guardian Angels’ work, she contacted the Angels’ national office and sought permission to start a chapter in Richmond. It was granted, and she launched the program in June 2010. She says that the New York headquarters has been very
supportive, including supplying the trademark berets, jackets and shirts for Richmond members without charge.
     The community response also has been “very positive,” she says. “The only people that seem to be against us are the people who are not doing the
right things anyway.”
     A close-up of this week’s Personality, Jo E. White:
Birthplace: Newark, N.J.
Current home: Richmond.
Occupation: Partner in United
Contractors of Virginia, LLC.
Education: West Side High and Essex College of Business, both
in Newark.
Family: Husband, Larry D. White;

Daughter, Moise L. Carrington, a medical doctor who lives in Atlanta.
Number of Richmond Angels members: We have 18 Guardian Angels, three are administrative only and 15 are on our patrol team. We also have nine Junior
Guardian Angels.
Accomplishments to date: We now have 175 members in the Highland Park Neighborhood Watch.
Where safety patrols are conducted: Most of our patrols are conducted in the North Side of Richmond, particularly in Highland Park. We sometimes patrol
the VCU area as well.
My 2012 goals: A long list of community service events, including involvement in three community discussions, breast cancer events, an adopt-a-street
project, a jobs program and the creation of a young adult leader-
Want to get involved?
What: Richmond Guardian Angels.
Requirements: Be 18 years old, or if younger, have a parent’s written permission. Be willing to take the Guardian Angels martial arts training. Be willing to testify in court if a crime is observed.
Opportunities: To take part in street patrols and participate in community service projects.
Further details: Contact Richmond commander, Mrs. White, (804) 937-6836 or Richmondva@guardianangels. org. The group’s website: RichmondGuardianAngels.com.
What I like most about Richmond: One word — historical. Richmond is one of the
nation’s most historic cities. Richmond is filled with landmarks.
No. 1 suggestion to improve Richmond: Reduce the crime. Yes, I know, that’s real easy to write on paper but not so easy to do. I suggest that we work harder to get more community involvement.
Prized possession: My cats, Tiger and Carrington.
How I unwind: Enjoy watching “Law and Order,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Closer.”
When I have a chance to relax, I like to turn on one of those TV shows.
Three words that best describe me: Strong-willed, positive and humorous. Oh, sorry, I have to add one more … adorable in my red beret.
The one thing I can’t stand: I don’t mind conflicts, but I want them settled, and I want to move on.
Person who influenced me the most: My sister Brenda Howard in New Jersey. I might be a Guardian Angel, but she’s been my guardian angel all my life.
Best time of my life: I’ll never forget my daughter’s Long White Coat ceremony. When medical students of Howard University College of Medicine graduate,
they have this ceremony. I put the long white coat on my daughter.
My next goal: Outside ofcompleting the goals I set forth earlier, my next goal would be to get my partially edited book published.