Have the Guardian Angels made a difference in Greenport?
NOT A DETERRENT, BUT A ‘BRIDGE’
Several residents criticized the Angels because they feel that the police are enough to handle the North Fork’s needs. But for leaders behind their presence — namely, in Riverhead — the police are exactly not enough.
Some, including Mr. Sliwa and Mr. Walter, say that Hispanic populations distrust police as a result of cultural differences. In Central and South American countries, they explained, police are either corrupt, ineffective or both, so people from those regions turn to gangs for protection.
Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller, despite pushback from the police union, had offered similar thoughts before the Angels arrived.
Such a gap is the reason Mr. Walter chose to invite the Angels in the first place. Concerned that his police force — which is mostly white — is too culturally distant from the at-risk Hispanic community, he was hoping to find a group that could make a connection.
Mr. Sliwa argues that his organization’s strategy is indeed racial, but not discriminatory.
“If there are people who feel we are targeting blacks or Hispanics, I’d say, ‘Yep — if they’re Bloods or MS-13s,’ ” he said.
Though the Guardian Angels can conduct citizens’ arrests and are trained in self-defense, they are here first and foremost to “build a bridge into the Latino community,” Mr. Sliwa said.
The Guardian Angels are looking to grow their presence in Suffolk County.
On July 11, the organization conducted its first fundraiser for outposts in Riverhead, Greenport and South Huntington, where they also patrol, and drew about $22,000 in donations — $10,000 of it from Guardian Angels board member and billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis.
“It’s hard to justify taking money from New York City where we have our own needs and then spending it in Suffolk County,” Mr. Sliwa said.
The majority of money raised will be spent on transportation for members, Mr. Sliwa said. Some will also go toward uniforms.
Once they are able to find affordable space in Suffolk, the Guardian Angels will set up operations out here.
The organization is also looking to bring a Junior Guardian Angels program to the Greenport school district by late fall, Mr. Sliwa said.
Correction: Due to an editing error, an incorrect author was listed for this story. The article was reported and written by Chris Lisinski.
Photo Captions:
1) Guardian Angel Benjamin Garcia talks with two women at a Greenport laundromat last November. (Credit: Guardian Angels)
2) The Riverhead railway station, where the Guardian Angels conduct most of their patrols. (Credit: Chris Lisinski)
3) Guardian Angel’s founder Curtis Sliwa (Credit: Grant Parpan)
