Guardian Angels are trying to help Metro reduce the surge of crime on the transit system.
The red beret-wearing volunteer safety patrols have worked on and off the Metro system for years, but member Dion “Dino” King says the group stepped up its patrols in the transit system after a Jan. 2 attack in L’Enfant Plaza gained widespread attention.
Now the 15-member local crew is patrolling the system about two to three times per week after schools let out and at night, King said.
On Feb. 4, for example, the angels patrolled near the Verizon Center as crowds left a Washington Wizards game and then escorted a woman at the Anacostia Station to wait for a taxi, even as a group of teens threatened them.
“We welcome them,” said Metro Police Deputy Chief Ronald Pavlik. “It’s always good to have extra eyes and ears on the system.”
The department has said it gets spread quite thin, as it has 420 sworn police positions and 106 security special police to cover the transit system’s 1,500-square mile area.
Pavlik said the Angels are good about coordinating with the transit police to let them know where they will be. The police urge them not get too involved, though. “For their own safety,” Pavlik said.
