The Guardian Angels commenced patrols in Greenport Saturday, spending the day patrolling the Third Street playground and other areas in the village with an eye toward keeping the community safe from an MS-13 gang presence that they say is growing in the area.
Guardian Angel Benjamin Garcia also addressed the congregants at a Spanish-language Mass at St. Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport. When he asked if the crowd would like to see the volunteer group as a presence in Greenport, the crowd clapped and nodded in assent, calling out, “Sí!”
After the alleged gang attack in Southold last month, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa offered to help address what he considers a growing threat not only on the North Fork but nationwide.
On Saturday, a new Guardian Angels recruit, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for safety reasons, said he showed the visiting patrol a spot at the cemetery where he believes MS-13 gang members are doing self-defense training in Greenport. He also pointed out a store where he said he has seen an MS-13 presence. As a Greenport village resident for over 10 years, he’s seen the community change and tendrils of gang activity taking root, he said.
Sliwa has said that having Guardian Angels who speak Spanish is critical, to reach out to the burgeoning Latino community most vulnerable to gangs preying on their youth. It happens most often in local school districts — with some children recruited into MS-13 and 18th Street gangs as young as six years old.
“It’s important to realize that this is a community that wants to help themselves,” Sliwa said.
Sister Margaret Smyth of the North Fork Spanish Apostolate addressed the congregation before introducing Garcia, speaking about threats of gangs. “We have a growing problem in this community,” she said.
After hearing Garcia’s message, the crowd of men, women and children, some very young, filed up to Garcia to sign their names on a list and receive additional information about the Guardian Angels; 22 signatures were collected, including three women and three teen boys.
Guardian Angels were also met with a positive response in the community, as residents honked their horn and shouted greetings, stopping to speak to the patrol on the street.
“I’m glad they’re here,” said Dirk Blank of New Suffolk, who stopped to speak to the Guardian Angels near the Third Street playground.
“It’s a good thing to know,” agreed Rob Alexander of Southold.
Doug Roberts, who helped Sister Margaret set up an initial community meeting with the Guardian Angels at St. Agnes on Nov. 11 , and also helped facilitate their presence at yesterday’s Mass, said he was pleased the patrol visited Greenport this weekend.
“I am thrilled that they have built relationships with Greenporters who will be joining their patrol,” Roberts said. The meeting after the Spanish Mass “is an important next step suggested at the initial meeting with the community,” he said.
Surveying the crowd that filled St. Agnes for the Spanish speaking Mass— including children wearing sparkly dresses and Sunday shoes, some in their parents’ arms — Garcia, who was born in East Harlem and could have chosen a life of gang activity, said he chose the high road to protect innocent children such as his own two little girls.
“I would give my life, no hesitation, to keep these children safe,” he said. “These are babies. They’re innocent. As the crowd leaves this church, if there was danger outside, we would step in front of these people and take a bullet to save their lives. I’ve lived my life, but these children? They’ve just begun.”
Shaking hands and embraced by the congregation, one man took a moment to thank the Guardian Angels. “We need you here,” he said quietly.
