Curtis Sliwa is a longtime New York City activist, radio host, and founder of the Guardian Angels — a volunteer crime-prevention group that gained national attention in the 1980s. He has built a public identity around street-level safety, community action, and political independence.
A Republican with a populist streak, Sliwa ran for mayor of New York City in 2021, positioning himself as a pragmatic, common-sense alternative to establishment politicians. His campaign focused on public safety, reducing homelessness, and fighting political corruption.
Sliwa’s ideology mixes traditional Republican law-and-order themes with moderate social positions and urban populism. His blue-collar sensibility and lifelong engagement with New York’s neighborhoods have made him a recognizable civic figure across party lines.
Moderate Republican
Achievements
- Founded the Guardian Angels, a civilian crime-prevention group that became an international model for community policing.
- Prominent radio host and commentator known for civic activism and public advocacy for safety and accountability.
- Ran a high-visibility campaign for New York City mayor in 2021, bringing law-and-order issues to the forefront.
- Known for decades of hands-on engagement in New York’s neighborhoods and youth mentorship.
- Continues to serve as an influential voice on crime, homelessness, and local politics.
Controversies
- Criticized for his sometimes sensational or combative rhetoric in public debates and on-air commentary.
- Past exaggerations about personal incidents drew media scrutiny during his early Guardian Angels years.
- Some community leaders view his approach to crime as more performative than structural.
- 2021 mayoral campaign faced challenges appealing to a predominantly Democratic electorate.