A volunteer crime prevention organization that got its start patrolling New York City subways forty years ago has hit the streets once again. The Guardian Angels have vowed to patrol the city around the clock, determined to help quell the riots and looting which followed the death of George Floyd.
“While it is uncertain how long the mayhem will last, we are in it for the long haul. We have been here since 1979 and we don’t intend on going anywhere,” said Curtis Sliwa, founder of the non-profit group — where members wear signature red berets and carry no weapons.
The city is now under a nightly emergency curfew — the first imposed on the town since 1943.
“Dozens of stores have been broken into and looted. Graffiti now lines the streets and establishments throughout New York City. Smashed windows, glass on sidewalks, products strewn about the streets, burnt-out cop cars. Now stores everywhere including the iconic Macy’s store at Herald Square is boarded up,” Mr. Sliwa said.
“The city is clearly under siege now and the New York Police Department seems unable to address these safety issues. So the Guardian Angels have stepped in and are now patrolling these hot spot areas around the clock,” he said.
Mr. Sliwa, a talk radio host for WABC in New York City, has also declared his intent to run for mayor of the city in 2021.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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