The Guardian Angels are resuming patrols of New York City’s subways.
The development follows a woman being set on fire while asleep, resulting in her death.
“We’re going to have to increase our numbers, increase the training and increase our presence as we did back in 1979,” Guardian Angeles Curtis Sliwa said, as reported by the New York Post.
“We went from 13 to 1,000 [members] back then within a period of a year,” he said. “Because the need was there. The need is here now once again. We’re going to step up. We’re going to make sure we have a visual presence just like we had in the ’70s, 80’s and ’90s.”
In a statement on X, Sliwa shared a statement from a local news outlet, which said, “The Guardian Angels are patrolling subway trains in Coney Island after a woman was set on fire early Sunday morning at the Stillwell Avenue station.”
“The volunteer safety group is focusing on idle trains, where people often seek shelter from the cold,” the statement continued. “During their patrols, the Angels are encouraging riders to stay aware of their surroundings and offering assistance, like directing them to nearest shelters.”
Silwa told The Post, “We’re now back to where we were when I started the group in 1979 on the subways. It’s gone full circle. I’ve never seen it this bad. Never.”
A representative for Mayor Eric Adams, Kayla Mamelak Altus, told Fox News Digital that the mayor has “surged 1,000 police officers per day into the subways, has brought down overall crime, and transit crime, delivering real action — not theatrics.”
“Mayor Adams is committed to improving the lives of New Yorkers, which is why he frequently rides the subway to speak directly with everyday riders about how we can make it safer,” Altus said.
“But he knows there’s still more work to be done,” Altus added. “Unlike others who only seek attention with meaningless stunts, Mayor Adams remains focused on real solutions.”
