Is New York City's subway system as safe as it should be? The resurgence of citizen-led safety patrols, embodied by Curtis Sliwa and the Guardian Angels, underscores a persistent unease about public safety and the lengths to which ordinary individuals will go to reclaim a sense of security.
Curtis Sliwa, a name synonymous with the red berets and unwavering dedication to crime prevention, has been a fixture in New York City's landscape for decades. Born on March 26, 1954, in Canarsie, Brooklyn, to a Catholic family with Polish and Italian roots, Sliwa's trajectory took a sharp turn from managing a McDonald's in the South Bronx to founding a globally recognized volunteer organization. His age as of 2025 is 70 years old. His height is about 6 feet tall.
Sliwa's journey began in the late 1970s, a period marked by escalating crime rates and a palpable sense of insecurity in New York City's public spaces. The subway system, in particular, became a symbol of this urban decay, with felonies occurring at an alarming rate of over 250 per week during the 1980s. In response, Sliwa formed a safety patrol group originally named "The Magnificent 13" with thirteen kids who were dedicated to making a change. In 1979, this group evolved and was renamed the Guardian Angels. Fueled by a desire to restore order and protect fellow citizens, Sliwa's initiative quickly gained momentum, transforming from a small group of volunteers into a force of over 1,000 within a single year.
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The Guardian Angels, instantly recognizable by their distinctive red berets and jackets, became a regular presence on the subway system, patrolling trains and platforms in an attempt to deter crime and provide assistance to those in need. Their motto, "We Dare to Care," and their philosophy, "We Not I," reflected a commitment to collective action and a willingness to confront the challenges facing their community. The Guardian Angels are volunteer, unarmed, vigilante crime fighters.
The organization's efforts extended beyond the subway system, with chapters forming in over 130 cities and 14 countries worldwide. Since its founding by Curtis Sliwa in 1979, the Guardian Angels have inspired hundreds of people of all backgrounds to step up and make a difference in their communities.
Sliwa's leadership style has often been described as a blend of charisma, tenacity, and showmanship. The Guardian Angels' actions have consistently drawn strong reactions, both positive and negative. Some have hailed them as heroes, filling a critical void in public safety, while others have criticized their methods and questioned their effectiveness. The group have drawn criticism in the past, including allegations of targeting people of color.
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Despite the controversies, the Guardian Angels have remained a visible and vocal presence in New York City and beyond. They were founded on February 13, 1979, in New York City, by Curtis Sliwa. In October 12, 2021, Curtis Sliwa was seen in his apartment in New York. During a correction officers union rally at the entrance to Rikers Island on Monday, August, Curtis Sliwa was also present.
In recent years, as concerns about crime and public safety have resurfaced, Sliwa has once again taken center stage, advocating for a renewed focus on community-based crime prevention strategies. In 1979, Curtis Sliwa, a South Bronx McDonalds night manager, began organizing civilian patrols of the New York City streets and subways as a response to the rampant crime of the era. Curtis Sliwa was the night manager at a Bronx McDonald's when he founded the Guardian Angels in 1979. Matthew McDermott Curtis Sliwa said the group will offer the homeless advice and a helping hand.
In 1979 the group was renamed the Guardian Angels, and debuted their signature uniform. Curtis Sliwa describing to the Daily News in 1979 an attempted gang rape that he said he and his group intervened in. Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, declared intentions to restart subway patrols in New York City after a woman was fatally attacked at the Coney Island station. The organization, which expanded from 13 to 1,000 members in its initial years, seeks to tackle increasing violence by monitoring trains, helping the homeless, and backing the NYPD.
Curtis Sliwa, who founded the Guardian Angels in 1979, said Sunday he would have 150 of his volunteer members on regular duty throughout the subway system, starting out at hubs like Coney Island. Recognizable by their distinctive red berets and jackets, Sliwa founded the Guardian Angels in 1979, and the group became a regular presence on the subway during many of the citys most crime-ridden periods.
Were now back to where we were when I started the group in 1979, he said. The Guardian Angels were established on February 13, 1979. Since then, it has expanded to more than 130 cities and 14 countries worldwide. [1] Sliwa originally created the Guardian Angels to combat widespread violence and crime on the New York City subway system. The guardian angels were an organization of volunteers who patrolled areas of the city in an attempt to deter crime. Originally they were organized by Curtis Sliwa in New York City in 1979 as a citizens' group to reduce the high levels of crime in the new york subway system. 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.
Members patrol neighborhoods and public transit to combat crime. The guardian angels organization was founded on February 14, 1979, in New York City, by Curtis Sliwa.
Curtis Sliwa has 15 rescue cats and a storied history as a vigilante and extravagant liar.
The group's actions drew strong reactions, both positive.
The New York subway was
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Curtis Sliwa |
| Date of Birth | March 26, 1954 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 70 years old |
| Place of Birth | Canarsie, Brooklyn, New York City |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Polish and Italian descent |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Height | Approx. 6 feet |
| Occupation | Founder of the Guardian Angels, Radio Personality, Politician |
| Organization Founded | Guardian Angels (originally The Magnificent 13) |
| Year Founded | 1979 |
| Motto | "We Dare to Care" |
| Philosophy | "We Not I" |
| Known For | Red berets, Vigilante crime prevention efforts, Community activism |
| Political Affiliation | Republican |
| Residence | New York City |
| Other Interests | Animal Rescue (particularly cats) |
| Reference | Fox5NY - Curtis Sliwa |
Detail Author:
- Name : Sandrine Morissette
- Username : justice.windler
- Email : schultz.julian@koch.com
- Birthdate : 1977-03-19
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- Phone : 775.219.7990
- Company : Davis Group
- Job : Insurance Investigator
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