Subway riders in New York might’ve noticed a familiar sight: volunteers in red berets and jackets patrolling the trains.
These are the Guardian Angels, back in action after years away. Their return is a response to a shocking crime—a woman tragically burned alive on the F train—and a wave of public demand for safer subway systems.
Founded in 1979 by Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels were created to fight rampant subway crime when New York City was in crisis. Back then, the group grew from 13 volunteers to over 1,000 in just a year.
Today, Sliwa says the need is just as urgent:
“We’re now back to where we were when I started the group in 1979,” he said. “It’s gone full circle. I’ve never seen it this bad. Never.”
Guardian Angels will re-appear on subways again in response to sky-high crime pic.twitter.com/53lynsOvc6
— New York Post (@nypost) December 29, 2024
The Angels aren’t just walking through subway cars anymore. They’re adapting to new challenges by conducting wellness checks on homeless individuals and those who are “emotionally disturbed.”
They’ll also provide water to people in need and report serious issues to the NYPD. Their mission remains the same: unarmed crime prevention and fostering a sense of safety for riders.
The recent crime that spurred their return was horrifying.
A woman, still unidentified, was killed in an unprovoked attack when she was set on fire while sleeping on an F train. The crime happened at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station, a hub at the end of the subway line.
The suspect, an illegal migrant from Guatemala, was later arrested, but the brazenness of the crime has left many New Yorkers on edge.
According to Sliwa, the crime reflects a larger problem:
“There’s so many trains that come in and out of here. It’s the perfect place because it reminds people that nobody did anything a week ago. Nobody intervened. Nobody pointed to the cops and said ‘This is the guy.’ Even the cops didn’t do anything.”
This lack of action, he added, is part of the reason the Angels are needed.
Sliwa hopes their presence will encourage more people to step up when they see something wrong.
“It was an example of people just not getting involved. And we’re here to say, ‘You see something, you say something.’ You gotta do something.”
The Angels’ efforts go beyond crime prevention.
Their strategy now includes providing support to vulnerable populations, such as homeless individuals and those with mental health challenges. By offering wellness checks and basic assistance, they aim to address root issues while improving overall subway safety.
This hands-on approach has earned them praise from some citizens who feel the city isn’t doing enough to protect its residents.
However, not everyone is thrilled about their return.
Critics argue that the Angels’ volunteer efforts, while well-meaning, might not be as effective as increasing the number of NYPD officers patrolling the subway. Some have even questioned the group’s ability to handle today’s more complex safety issues.
But supporters see the Angels as a community-driven solution to a problem that the city alone can’t seem to fix. For New Yorkers, the Guardian Angels have become a symbol of resilience. In their heyday, the group was known for being a visible deterrent to crime.
One MTA worker summed it up:
“It won’t get fixed overnight, but, yeah, it sounds good. I think it’ll help. I don’t think the cops downstairs are going to like it, but yeah. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there are no cops up here.”
As the Angels ramp up their patrols, Sliwa is optimistic about the group’s future:
“We’re going to have to increase our numbers, increase the training, and increase our presence as we did back in 1979. Because the need was there. The need is here now once again.”
Their return is not just a reaction to one tragic event—it’s a response to a broader call for community action in the face of rising crime and uncertainty.
For many conservatives, the Guardian Angels represent what local initiative can achieve when people step up to protect their communities. It’s a reminder that safety starts with individuals willing to make a difference.
As New Yorkers navigate these challenges, the Angels’ efforts could serve as a model for other cities facing similar issues. Their approach combines vigilance with compassion, proving that solutions to complex problems don’t always require more bureaucracy or funding—just people willing to act.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.