Crain's posted a feature last week on how New York City's Guardian Angels have doubled in size as a reaction to the recent uptick in crime around the city. The article (Legions of Guardian Angels) states that Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx have been hardest hit since the summer and founder Curtis Sliwa will be training more patrols for those boroughs. An increased Gaurdian Angel presence is also planned for Harlem and Washington Heights so expect to see more of those red berets around the neighborhood. We've seen quite a few recruiting signs up in East Harlem in the past months but not so many patrols. Check out the Crain's article for more details:
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ReplyDeleteI'm not very happy about the presence of a vigilante group. First off, it's pretty clear listening to his radio show that Sliwa is off his rocker. Second, regardless of the various problems with the police, they are trained adults, and not over-excited children in superhero outfits. And, finally, is this what the city has once again fallen to?
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in London, the Guardian Angels were always part of the mystique of NYC. Problem is, as Bob said, that was during the 80s when the city was in dire straits. Hopefully not a sign of things to come.
ReplyDeleteAs Bob, I am not happy to have a vigilante group running around and if these young men and women truly want to help communities I am sure they can find better ways than to strut around wearing red berets.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that while I am no fan of vigilantes, if these young people walking the streets deters crime I am all for it. Let's face it there has been an uptick in shootings, muggings etc so anything that can reverse that trend I am willing to entertain.
ReplyDelete@Harlem BBC—at the risk of sounding like the world’s biggest prig, that’s the thinking—anything to reverse the trend of crime—that can lead to dangerous outcomes, some of which are can be illustrated by our not so distant and not so glorious history.
ReplyDeleteCurtis Silwa is in my opinion, a pathological liar who managed to parlay his self promoting antics into a radio gig.
ReplyDeleteHe was forced to admit that straight up was lying about many of the Angels early exploits. Added to that is the fact that I’ve lived in this city all my life and can’t remember ever seeing an Angel ever arresting or holding anybody even during the bad old days of the late 70’s early 80’s.
I have never taken the Angels seriously. They are at best a neighborhood watch with delusions of grandeur. At worst they are nuisances who are only dangerous to themselves. I think this is nothing more than one of Silwa’s periodic attempts to get attention for himself at New York’s expense.
think this is a great idea especially in a neighborhood where it takes the police 4 hours to show up, if at all. We need more people to be engaged in stopping the crime in are community instead of looking the other way.
ReplyDelete@ Sanou’s Mum what exactly are you referring to? The actions of the USA, the actions of NYC or certain actions in Harlem? As I said I am no fan of Sliwa but I am a fan of law and order. Therefore I stand by my comment if a bunch of people walking around being vigilant brings crime down why would I not support that.
ReplyDeleteIf they harass people that I would not support but in general they seem to follow the rules so why not?
Because once you condone vigilantes where does it end? There is no oversight. . .they are neither sufficiently trained nor supervised. A gang is a gang no matter what the uniform. A thug is a thug no matter what the intent.
ReplyDeleteI believe the KKK considered themselves to be upholders of law and order. Nazis were pretty strong on that, too. If these young men and women want to uphold the law let them either join the police or become auxiliary police.
@Sanou's Mum -- spot on!
ReplyDeleteGood point too about the auxiliary police force. Those guys are always looking for recruits on 125th. Although, they really ought to provide recruits with proper life insurance.
ReplyDeleteThere are certain areas of Harlem known for trouble hot spots for example iphone snatching is in certain areas, these areas could do with an anti crime presence, especially with city budget cuts, there are less foot patrols so the guardian angels will have a positive effect. As for the guardian angels taking over like another gang, I don’t think that has ever happened so no worries there. As for the controversial Mr. Sliwa and to disagree with some here, I find him refreshing as he is not bound by political correctness and he does not follow the herd, so I like him and think New York would be lesser without him.
ReplyDeleteI have never understood why people expect or even accept that young people with inordinate levels of testosterone and red hats would in any way compare to adults who have been trained in the law and law enforcement.
ReplyDeleteChris, by "life insurance" for police auxiliaries, do you mean a firearm?
ReplyDeleteChris may be referring to actual life insurance; two auxiliary police were killed down on Houston and Sullivan a few years ago.
ReplyDelete@Sanou's Mum, yes. At the time I don't think bullet proof vests were even standard issue. Not sure about now though.
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