In late 2022, my friend Cindy “Prayer Warrior” Bobe made a surprising decision that caught everyone off guard—she joined the Guardian Angels. Cindy, a deeply spiritual and peace-loving individual who spreads kindness wherever she goes and does not even eat meat, had taken up the iconic red beret and gear of the Guardian Angels. She was now patrolling the streets of New York City, from Brooklyn to Manhattan, embodying a mission that seemed entirely out of character. The most astonishing part? She asked me to join her.
Watching Cindy undergo rigorous training and rise through the ranks sparked my curiosity. How could someone who barely weighs 100 pounds, stands only five feet tall, and has likely never thrown a punch, take on something as potentially dangerous as patrolling the streets? Her dedication and transformation were nothing short of inspiring. After her graduation, I decided it was time to transition from being a mere observer to an active participant and supporter. With the resources, I had at my disposal, this shift felt both natural and necessary.
Over the years, I had heard about the Guardian Angels, but I had not seen much of their presence in the Bronx—a curious fact, especially since one of the organization’s highest-ranking members resides there. Attending Cindy’s graduation at the Guardian Angels’ headquarters in Brooklyn was a revelation. I was impressed by the sheer number of members, each dedicated to patrolling different sectors of the city. I also learned about the organization’s national and international chapters, further underscoring their extensive reach and influence.
As someone who strongly believes in public safety and citizen patrols, my focus had always been on advocacy rather than physical intervention. As a former Marine Sergeant who served in Fallujah, Iraq, my approach to security has been primarily personal—protecting myself and those around me. Over the years, I have worked closely with the New York Police Department to build stronger community relationships. More recently, I have been involved in funding, coordinating, and facilitating self-defense practices for community members, especially given the rise in attacks on women.
However, the question remained: How could I contribute to the Guardian Angels without fully immersing myself, especially considering the safety concerns and my demanding schedule as a community leader, nonprofit executive, journalist, television host, and political figure? After discussing the matter with Cindy, who had now become the second-in-command of the Brooklyn Broadway Junction Chapter, it became clear that my resources could be invaluable. For months, I made regular trips to Brooklyn, delivering food, clothing, hygiene products, books, and other essentials—anything I could carry—to support their efforts.
Seeing Cindy in her gear month after month and observing her work on social media inspired me to do more. By the end of the year, I decided to join the Broadway Junction Chapter on patrols, not just as an observer but also as an active participant, contributing directly to their efforts. What I witnessed was far beyond what I had expected. The Guardian Angels weren’t just about physically stopping incidents; they were about being voices and leaders within the community. They engaged with locals, distributed essential items to those in need, and patrolled in pairs for safety. On the trains, they secured cars from stop to stop in a disciplined, unified manner.
After several visits, I was honored with my own red beret. Although I received lessons during each patrol, I have not undergone official training and have always been supervised by a senior member of the team. Donning the gear gave me a profound sense of pride, reminiscent of the feeling I had when I earned the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor as a Marine. While my participation has been sporadic, my support remains unwavering.
Patrolling the streets of New York City with the iconic Guardian Angels gear and team has been a unique experience, far different from anything I have encountered before. From someone who walks the city with a constant awareness of my surroundings to a Marine on patrol with an M-16 rifle in a combat zone, this experience is one of a kind. The red beret and gear in New York City—it is something you have to experience firsthand to truly understand.
Recently, the Guardian Angels came to the Bronx, and I was hopeful that they were starting a new chapter in my home borough. Instead, they unveiled a new program called Neighborhood Angel Watch—a community-based initiative designed to keep a vigilant eye on vital living standards in our neighborhoods. The room was filled to capacity as Guardian Angels leader Curtis Sliwa and community advocate George Havranek introduced this innovative initiative.
For more information on the Guardian Angels, visit their website at www.guardianangels.org. To learn more about the Neighborhood Angel Watch program, call Supervisor Arnaldo “13” Salinas at (347) 212-0940. For those interested in the Brooklyn Broadway Junction Chapter, you can reach out to Captain Miguel Ortiz at (848) 666-3825.
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