Summary:

Guardian Angels have resumed subway patrols in NYC after a recent deadly arson.
Teams of three will patrol, offering wellness checks and reporting issues to the NYPD.
Their return follows a 2021 absence and numerous citizen requests after a fatal arson on an F train in Coney Island.
Mayor Adams' office downplayed the need for the Guardian Angels, highlighting increased police presence and crime reduction efforts.
The incident has reignited concerns about subway safety in NYC.

Guardian Angels Resume Subway Patrols in NYC

Members of the Guardian Angels on patrol.

Following a deadly arson attack on a Brooklyn subway, the Guardian Angels, clad in their signature red, have resumed patrols of the NYC subway system. Led by former mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, teams of three will patrol trains, conducting wellness checks on the homeless and reporting issues to the NYPD.

This marks the group's return after a period of absence. Their last significant subway patrols were in 2021, during a surge in violence against Asian New Yorkers. The Angels' announcement states that their return follows numerous citizen requests.

Mayor Eric Adams' office, however, responded with a statement emphasizing the city's efforts to improve subway safety, highlighting increased police presence and crime reduction. The statement characterized the Guardian Angels' return as a "meaningless stunt" compared to the city's "real action."

Recent Subway Crimes and Safety Concerns

The Guardian Angels' return follows a recent incident where a woman was fatally burned on an F train in Coney Island. This tragic event, along with other recent subway crimes, has sparked renewed concern about safety in the city's transit system. The increased visibility of the Guardian Angels is intended to provide a sense of security and deter crime, but remains a controversial topic.

Source: NBC New York