Anti-crime activist and former New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa has put his public safety organization, the Guardian Angels, on the city's subways, citing the “Daniel Penny effect” that leaves civilians on the sidelines. announced that he would be returning.
Sliwa, who founded Guardian Angels in 1979, said volunteers would resume patrolling the subway. first time From 2020 in response to recent tragic events. arson murder of a sleeping passenger, new york post Reported.
“We need more people, more training, more presence, just like we did in 1979,” Sliwa said at Brooklyn's Stillwell Avenue Coney Island subway station, where an unidentified woman was burned to death days earlier. It won't happen,” he said. Christmas.
“We went from 13 years old to 1,000 years old [members] “Within a year, I was back to those days,” he continued. “Because the need was there, and the need is here again now. I’m going to take it.”
In a video recorded from a podium with several volunteer Guardian Angels standing behind her, Sliwa can be seen watching security guards in red berets work with police to curb violence on public transport. emphasized the need to
“If they're homeless or mentally disturbed, check to make sure they're okay. If they suddenly find themselves in a situation where they have an episode, which often happens, we We have to calm it down. In many cases…they know about the guardian angels, so we have a calming effect,” he said.
“We can also alert the police officers on the platform to the situation… In general, that’s why we are always present at the station,” he continued, explaining how volunteers accompany passengers onto the subway. I explained how to get on the train and carefully observe the station platform. Each stop.
Referring to Daniel Penny's indictmentSliwa, the military veteran who strangled subway tramp Jordan Neely for threatening other straphangers, said, “Citizens won't do that, because unfortunately they're frozen by the Daniel Penny effect.” he added.
“They're not going to get involved. We've seen grown men who normally would have gotten involved not get involved anymore. We're training and this is what we're doing. and we know how to do it,” said the Chief Guardian Angel.
Guardian Angels currently has 150 members in New York City and many chapters in other major American cities and abroad.
Social media users responded positively to the announcement, with some reminiscing about growing up with the Guardian Angels on the subway in the '80s and '90s.
But a representative for Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, who Sliwa defeated in the 2021 New York mayoral election, accused the Guardian Angels founder of pulling a “senseless stunt.” new york post.
“Mayor Adams is committed to improving the lives of New Yorkers, which is why he frequently rides the subway and speaks directly with everyday riders about how we can make it safer,” City Hall Press Secretary Kayla said.・Mr. Mamalek said.
“While the mayor has rushed 1,000 police officers per day to the subways, reduced overall crime and traffic crime, and delivered real action rather than theatrics, he knows there is more work to be done. ” she added.
