Curtis Sliwa: The Radio Host Who Founded a Global Anti-Crime Movement in New York

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before becoming a perennial mayoral candidate and radio personality, Curtis Sliwa launched the Guardian Angels in 1979 to patrol New York City’s dangerous subways. What began as a local volunteer effort to combat rising crime evolved into an international organization operating in over 130 cities across fourteen different countries.

Born in Brooklyn in 1954, Curtis Sliwa’s early life was marked by activism and a stint as a McDonald’s night manager. In 1977, he organized a group known as the Magnificent 13 to address rampant violence on the city’s transit system. By 1979, this initiative was formalized as the Guardian Angels. The group became famous for its members' signature red berets and their focus on unarmed crime prevention, youth mentoring, and self-defense. While early critics like Mayor Ed Koch initially investigated the organization, others, such as Lieutenant Governor Mario Cuomo, praised them as a moral force.

Sliwa’s career has been defined by a mix of genuine activism and high-profile controversy. He has been arrested at least 77 times, often for protests related to crime and immigration. In 1992, he admitted to staging several incidents—including a fake kidnapping and a staged mugging rescue—to highlight the dangers of the subway system. His life has also been marked by real violence; in 1992, he was severely beaten with baseball bats and later kidnapped and shot in a taxi. Prosecutors linked these attacks to the Gambino crime family, specifically alleging that John A. Gotti ordered the hit due to Sliwa’s radio commentary, though Gotti was never convicted of these specific charges.

Beyond his work with the Guardian Angels, Sliwa has spent over three decades as a conservative radio host in New York. His political identity is complex; he describes himself as a populist outsider who rejects the MAGA movement while supporting positions like same-sex marriage and gun control. He ran for mayor of New York City in 2021 and 2025, losing both times. Despite his electoral defeats, he remains a fixture in city politics, consistently prioritizing issues like public safety, animal welfare, and fiscal reform while maintaining a combative, high-energy presence in the city’s media landscape.

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