NEW YORK CITY—It’s New Year’s day, but the Guardian Angels aren’t taking the day off.
In light of the surge last week in anti-semitic attacks in New York City, the safety patrol is monitoring Crown Heights and other Jewish neighborhoods in the city. The Guardian Angels said Jewish elders sought help from the group’s founder, Curtis Sliwa, because they thought Mayor Bill de Blasio wasn’t doing enough.
“They’re extremely happy to see us,” said KC, a patrol leader, in an interview with NTD News. “They see that [we’ve] been out here since 1991. You can’t even walk five inches without someone saying ‘thank you.'”
In 1991, a riot erupted after a black child was killed in a traffic accident involving a Jew. Black marchers targeted and attacked members of the Jewish community in the riots killing a Jewish scholar, according to a report on the event issued to the governor at the time.
Warm Greetings
“I still think it’s pretty cool that these guys came down,” said Zali Shifren, a Jewish resident of Crown Heights. “I think it’s nice. I think it shows support for the Jewish community.”
“When it comes to anti-semitism, anyone that can do something about putting an end to it, will gain a lot of blessing in their life,” said Levi Jacobson, another Jewish resident.
In 2019, the city saw a nearly 20 percent increase in anti-semitic hate crimes with 229 incidences total, according to data from the NYPD obtained by NTD News.
The most recent attack last weekend saw five Hasidic Jews stabbed at a Hanukkah celebration at a rabbi’s home in Monsey, after which the mayor and governor sent more police to patrol Jewish neighborhoods.
But to some, like local resident Andrea Karshan, more law enforcement or safety patrols aren’t a long-term answer.
“And I think the only solution to anti-semitism is dialogue, and realizing that these people—not saying anti-semitism is ever justified, or attacks are ever justified—but some of these people really do feel marginalized,” she said.
The Guardian Angels said they’ll stay in these areas for as long as they’re needed.
On Jan. 5, Jewish organizations and advocacy groups in New York are holding a “No Hate, No Fear” solidarity march, where they’ll march across the Brooklyn Bridge to Columbus Park.
