It seems the Guardian Angels are back in New York City’s subway system, picking up the slack where city leadership and law enforcement have apparently fallen short. Curtis Sliwa, founder of the all-volunteer group, announced the renewed patrols after a horrifying incident in which a Guatemalan illegal immigrant, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, allegedly burned a homeless woman to death on a Brooklyn subway car. The move comes in response to what Sliwa describes as “out of control” subway conditions and requests from “hundreds of citizens” who are tired of the chaos underground.
The grim incident on December 22 underscores a growing concern among New Yorkers about public safety. Zapeta-Calil, who is facing first- and second-degree murder charges, could spend life in prison without parole if convicted. While justice may be served in this case, Sliwa pointed out the glaring lack of intervention for the victim and highlighted the void left by a police force that no longer patrols subway cars due to staffing shortages.
GUARDIAN ANGELS RETURN TO NYC SUBWAYS AFTER HORRIFIC MURDER
The Guardian Angels are patrolling NYC subways again after last week’s shocking murder, where a woman was burned alive while sleeping on an F train at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue.
Police arrested 39-year-old… pic.twitter.com/tNfEcY0tnx
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 29, 2024
“The subways are out of control,” Sliwa said bluntly, standing at the Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island station where the attack occurred. Starting with three-person patrols, the Guardian Angels aim to restore a sense of safety to commuters. Sliwa noted the NYPD hasn’t actively patrolled subway cars since 1979, leaving platforms and turnstiles as the primary focus areas. He described his group as “the people’s patrol” and called for increased numbers, training, and presence akin to their early efforts.
Sliwa wasn’t shy about criticizing the city’s criminal justice system either. He called out the lack of visible mental health workers and questioned the millions of dollars spent on programs that seem to produce little real-world impact. Pointing to what he dubbed “the Daniel Penny effect,” Sliwa remarked on the growing reluctance of ordinary citizens to intervene in dangerous situations, a trend he says stems from fear of legal repercussions.
“Grown men who might have gotten involved—they’re just not getting involved anymore,” he observed. “And we’re here to say, ‘You see something, you say something. You gotta do something.’”
The Guardian Angels plan to conduct welfare checks, calm emotionally disturbed individuals, and collaborate with subway conductors to alert the police when necessary. While the group’s efforts are commendable, they also underscore a troubling reality: the reliance on civilian volunteers to step in where law enforcement is either unable or unwilling to act effectively.
Guardian Angels will re-appear on subways again in response to sky-high crime pic.twitter.com/53lynsOvc6
— New York Post (@nypost) December 29, 2024
Critics point to systemic issues that have exacerbated the problem. Under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, a $130 million initiative aimed at diverting mentally ill individuals from the criminal justice system into treatment was launched. The results, however, remain debatable as recidivism continues to plague the city. Current Mayor Eric Adams has called for more funding for mental health courts but also expressed frustration with bail reform laws and their impact on public safety.
The Guardian Angels have long had a tumultuous relationship with both the city’s leadership and law enforcement. The group has faced its share of challenges, including attacks on its members. Most recently, Sliwa’s son Anthony was injured in an October altercation while defending himself and his stepfather, former New York Governor David Paterson.
As the Guardian Angels take to the subway cars once again, their presence is both a symbol of resilience and a reminder of the failures in New York’s public safety and justice systems. Whether they can bridge the gap remains to be seen, but for many New Yorkers, their return is a step toward reclaiming a sense of order underground.
