Gunshots, screams, drug deals in the street – that’s how lifelong Kingston resident Maryanne Banks describes her neighborhood.
Just last year a teen was shot dead in Kingston’s Midtown in broad daylight.
“I’m afraid to wait for the bus. I feel safer knowing they’re on the streets,” said Banks.
Who are “they”? The Guardian Angels – an international, volunteer organization of unarmed crime patrollers, who have been walking Kingston’s streets for just over three years – and the phenomenon is growing.
The group held a regional summit in the City of Poughkeepsie last week to discuss its operations in Dutchess, Ulster and Orange counties, and to talk about beginning a chapter in Newburgh.
“Newburgh has probably been more negatively affected than any other community in the Hudson Valley,” said Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa, who spoke at the summit. “I’ve always referred to Newburgh as ‘Camden-on-the-Hudson.’ It has that reputation.”
Sliwa, an anti-crime activist and radio talk show host, formed the organization in 1979 with a group of his co-workers from the Fordham Road McDonald’s in the Bronx. As participation grew, the group – originally called The Magnificent 13 – became The Guardian Angels. Today there are more than 5,000 Guardian Angels in 102 cities, in 12 countries.
Kingston’s Guardian Angels chapter was formed in response to escalating violence in the city’s high school. Shortly afterward, City of Poughkeepsie activitsts started a chapter as well.
“Young people were getting shot and killed and women were getting raped and mugged,” said Poughkeepsie Chapter Captain Lawrence Fauntleroy. “We were told that if we could get a chapter captain, the Guardian Angels would help us out.”
The city formed a group, and observed Kingston’s chapter. Afterward, they tailored their training to meet the needs of the Poughkeepsie community.
“We’re bigger and more diverse than Kingston, and we get out more in Poughkeepsie,” said Fauntleroy.
Making an impact
According to Fauntleroy, the chapter, which is in its second year, acts as the eyes and the ears for the police department. It is currently the largest chapter in the Hudson Valley, and its more than two-dozen members meet twice weekly to discuss progress and practice self-defense. Though no citizens arrests have been made, many community members feel that the group’s presence has had an impact -- an impact that some speculate could benefit neighboring Newburgh.
“It’s an experience living in Newburgh,” said Newburgh City Councilwoman Christine Bello. “You really have to be one tough cookie to live there.”
Bello, who has been mugged twice in Newburgh, says the city is covered in graffiti and has a serious gang problem. Like many proponents of the Guardian Angels, she wants to see the youth get involved.
Fauntleroy agrees. “We have churches and community groups, but the gangs are in their neighborhoods – they’re in the kids’ faces,” he said.
Recently, Newburgh Mayor Nicholas Valentine agreed to keep an open mind concerning the group’s possible presence in the city.
“Christine, have no fear, we’ll convert those negativists in Newburgh,” said Sliwa.
While Orange County considers creating a Newburgh chapter, Poughkeepsie’s chapter hopes to continue to grow.
“I want to see more community members get involved. Next year we’re going to start working more with younger people,” said Fauntleroy. “It’s going to take time, but we’re getting the calls. The idea is getting out there.”