Central Los Angeles : MAD DADS

A South Los Angeles group announced Thursday it is forming a chapter of Mad Dads, an anti-violence and drug organization that was founded by 18 African American men in Omaha, Neb., in 1989.

Taking the concept of “community policing” to its fullest, the group hits the streets to contact runaways, drug abusers, gang members and troubled youths. When the men see a crime occur, they call in police, although they have been known to make citizen arrests, said Edna Sims-Porter, a project consultant.

The group, which has 41 chapters that includes all races, works with police, city, clergy and community leaders to recruit men and conduct the volunteer patrols.

Ken Riley, president of the Los Angeles chapter’s steering committee, said it is “past time” that youths on Los Angeles’ streets encountered such a group.

“These kids need some positive role models,” said Riley. “All they can see is the men on the street corners and the gang members. If we can get the fathers of some of these kids on the street talking to them on a daily basis, I think it will do some good.”

Organizers plan a town hall meeting at 4:30 p.m. on Saturdayto introduce the concept. The meeting will be held at the Watts Labor Community Action Center, 10950 S. Central Ave.