Dressed in the black and red colors matching the Texaco station they descended upon, members of the Guardian Angels offered to pump gasoline for customers wary of leaving their vehicles in light of the recent sniper shootings.
Beginning last Saturday, approximately six members of the organization, known primarily for fighting street crime, converged on the Belle Haven Texaco, 5905 Richmond Highway, just outside the Beltway, "to do what we could to help in this situation," as one member put it.
Bruce Alcan, who's Angels code name is "Boot," and leader of the group at the site, said "We were contacted by the public through our web site and phone number and asked what we were going to do," he said.
"It was decided that this would give us a presence and help alleviate some of the stress being felt by the public," Alcan said. Their decision also drew television news crews from as far away as New York City who often blocked access to the pumps while they filmed their stories.
GLEN WARNER, owner of the station since 1988, explained, "They approached me about doing it and I agreed. It helps for people to do something proactive and show that life is continuing on a much -as-possible normal basis." The volunteers have been at the station from early morning until approximately 11 p.m. each day, according to Warner.
One of the motorists taking advantage of the service was Pamela Turnbull of Alexandria. "I think it's a good thing to do. It helps people feel more secure. People need to be a little more careful."
In juxtaposition to her reaction was that of another motorist, pumping his own fuel while a Guardian Angel serviced Turnbull's car. "I'm used to pumping my own gas. I refuse to live in fear. I know it's a critical situation but someone much greater than this sniper is in charge," said Theodore McClain of Fort Washington, MD.
THE TEXACO STATION at the intersection of Richmond Highway and Fort Hunt Road, accessible from the north bound lanes, was the only facility being offered such a service by the Guardian Angels. In speaking with other station owners and managers, from the Beltway to Fort Belvoir, none had been contacted about a similar service.
Most indicated that they had not suffered any loss of business due to the shootings. Motorists where pumping their own fuel at stations on both the north and south bound lanes of the Route 1 corridor just hours prior to the Home Depot fatal attack at Seven Corners in Falls Church Monday night.