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THREE New York City subway lines that run through the South Bronx are particularly dangerous, the founder of the Guardian Angels said.

Curtis Sliwa, who started the citizen crime watchdog group Guardian Angels in 1979, has been patrolling the subways at night for more than 40 years.

Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa points out the most crime-riddled subway lines on a map in a station
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Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa points out the most crime-riddled subway lines on a map in a stationCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun
Sliwa said these are the most dangerous sections of subway lines in NYC
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Sliwa said these are the most dangerous sections of subway lines in NYC
NYC's Guardian Angels in their distinctive red berets and jackets outside the 6 train
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NYC's Guardian Angels in their distinctive red berets and jackets outside the 6 trainCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun

The U.S. Sun followed him and six Guardian Angels as they patrolled the rails in Manhattan and the Bronx for four hours Thursday night.

Sliwa said the 6 train between 125th Street and Hunts Point "is no man's land" where he's seen a lot of crime happen, and a lot of it goes unreported.

The 4 and D trains between 167th Street or 161st Street (which is Yankee Stadium) during baseball's offseason and the Fordham Road and Kingsbridge stops, respectively, are just as dangerous.

"These include huge stations in the Bronx," Sliwa told The Sun. "If you’re in the maze, no one is going to see you or hear you.

NEW YORK CITY STORIES

"You might as well throw a message in the bottle in the river. Maybe someone will find it. You’ll have a better chance of getting help.”

One of the riders Thursday night - Kenneth, who didn't want to give his last name - takes the 6 train from 103rd Street to Hunts Point to work every night.

"I've seen people pull knives and rob people. I saw one guy come in and sit next to a woman just to harass her. There was plenty of room in the subway, but he sat next to her," he said.

The NYPD said they've increased patrols in the last few weeks, including adding over 1,000 officers at strategic locations.

There were two officers on the platforms looking into the subway at multiple stops on the 6 train Thursday night.

Kenneth said he's noticed more of a police presence over the last week.

"It definitely makes me feel better. I'm on this train every night," he said. "I started seeing police about two weeks ago, but in the last two days or so, I've noticed they've been on every platform.

Sliwa said he wants to see officers in the subways and walking through each car.

"It's about being proactive, and there's a level of comfort when passengers see police walking by," Sliwa said.

As he spoke, Kenneth listened and nodded in agreement.

"You never saw police so this is better than nothing," he said. "At least, I feel like I can get to work safe now."

DON'T SIT IN THE BACK TWO CARS

The worst place to sit on the subway - especially at night - is the back two cars, Sliwa said while waiting for the 4 train at the 161st Street stop.

That's where he and his team of six Guardian Angels boarded the train.

"This is where the hoodlums and thugs sit. This is where you'll see most of the stabbings and robberies," he said.

From the back of the train, the Guardian Angels - decked out in their historic red berets and red jackets - marched through each subway car as they bounced from line to line.

NYPD'S RESPONSE TO SUBWAY CRIME SPIKE

SUBWAY CRIME IS UP OVER 100%

Crime on the subways skyrocketed during the first three months of 2022, which coincides with people returning to work as the number of Covid cases decline.

At one point in early February, crime was up over 200 percent compared to last year, according to NYPD statistics.

Now it's up 104.3 percent, with 467 transit crimes reported as compared to 259 at this time last year.

Newly elected Mayor Eric Adams, who's a former NYPD lieutenant and beat Sliwa in the general election, announced a crackdown on crime in the subways.

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The NYPD said in an emailed statement that they've added "station inspections" to "create an omnipresence that riders, at all hours, can see and feel as they make their way to school, work, or home".

That includes over 1,000 extra officers strategically placed at stations and lines where there are a higher number of riders and reports of crime, the NYPD said.

Sliwa helped an elderly homeless woman who was struggling with mental health issues and said she was robbed of money, her ID and a bag with food
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Sliwa helped an elderly homeless woman who was struggling with mental health issues and said she was robbed of money, her ID and a bag with foodCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun
One of the Guardian Angels on patrol in the subways Thursday night
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One of the Guardian Angels on patrol in the subways Thursday nightCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun
Many homeless and EDPs flocked to the subways during the pandemic
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Many homeless and EDPs flocked to the subways during the pandemicCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun
The Guardian Angels head down the 33rd Street subway station
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The Guardian Angels head down the 33rd Street subway stationCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun
The Guardian Angels move from subway car to subway car while on patrol
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The Guardian Angels move from subway car to subway car while on patrolCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun
There are about 300 members of the Guardian Angels and they patrol all the subways throughout New York City
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There are about 300 members of the Guardian Angels and they patrol all the subways throughout New York CityCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun
The red berets and jackets are a historic look
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The red berets and jackets are a historic lookCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun
The Angels check each subway car and the platforms to help anyone in distress
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The Angels check each subway car and the platforms to help anyone in distressCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun
Four of the six members of the Guardian Angels that patrolled the subways in the Bronx and Manhattan Thursday night
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Four of the six members of the Guardian Angels that patrolled the subways in the Bronx and Manhattan Thursday nightCredit: Stephen Yang for The US Sun

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