NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The Guardian Angels will start patrolling the Upper East Side amid concerns over a rise in crime and homeless "warehousing."
The volunteer patrol group's founder, Curtis Sliwa, told the New York Post that the neighborhood has been seeing more crime as residents complain about an increase in drug use and harassment by homeless people staying at area hotels.
Sliwa said one area the group will focus on is around the Bentley Hotel at 62nd Street and York Avenue, where homeless people are being housed because of the pandemic.
"The problems are moving from the West Side to the East Side," Sliwa told the Post. "The cops are being reactive, not proactive."
According to the Post, major crimes in the 19th Precinct were up 36% during the 28-day period ending Oct. 4 compared to the same time in 2019.
Sliwa said doorman Louis Puliafito, who is running for state Assembly as a Republican, requested the group begin patrolling the streets.
Puliafito told the Post he spoke to people at civic associations. "They don't feel safe anymore. People are worried about daytime crime," he said.
Sliwa said an area resident who "has been training and patrolling with us in the UWS since early August" will lead the patrolling effort.
