Guardian Angels to resume patrols on NYC subway cars after fatal attack
NEW YORK (PIX11)— The Guardian Angels are resuming patrols on NYC subway cars, a spokesperson announced Saturday.
The announcement comes after a woman was fatally set ablaze on a Brooklyn F train. The group stated after the incident, ‘hundreds of citizens’ requested their return to subway cars.
The Guardian Angels have been a fixture in New York since 1979 when founding member Curtis Sliwa founded them to patrol the streets and subways during the city’s high-crime days. In the decades since then, the group has drawn criticism, with allegations that it unfairly targets people of color.
On Sunday, a spokesperson for the group said they would host a conference to outline a new patrol strategy involving a three-person team walking up and down the subway, moving subway cars in transit.
Patrols will focus on:
- Conducting wellness checks on homeless and emotionally disturbed individuals
- Providing water to homeless and emotionally disturbed individuals who may be dehydrated
- Reporting any issues with running trains to the NYPD
“The Guardian Angels are dedicated to fostering safer, stronger, and more compassionate communities through volunteer-driven initiatives, their website reads. “We serve those in need by organizing homeless feedings, mentoring youth through positive leadership programs, offering self-defense courses, and conducting unarmed community patrols to ensure the safety of seniors and vulnerable individuals.”
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.