As the Guardian Angels continue to train new members in Orange County, we're learning some of those signing up have a very personal connection to the rising crime rate.

Patricia Small says she decided to join the group after her 29-year-old son, Noel Heimburg, was shot and killed in an attempted robbery outside his MetroWest apartment last February.

"Being part of the Guardian Angels, I want to be part of the solution and help with this community of the crime that's going on," Small said.

Small says training to become a Guardian Angel is just the first step to working towards a solution. She adds in order to truly decrease the crime rate here in Orlando, city officials need to support this group and their cause.