Curtis Sliwa Curtis Sliwa & The Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa ( born March 26 , 1954 in Canarsie , Brooklyn , New York ) founded the Guardian Angels in 1979 , a volunteer anti-crime organization with which he has remained closely identified . Career Sliwa originally created the organization to combat widespread violence and crime on the New York City subways . At the time , New York City was suffering a double burden as the crime capital of the nation and broad cutbacks in municipal services to reduce huge debt . The Guardian Angels ' perceived vigilantism drew strong reactions , both positive and negative , from the public and the media . Sliwa later admitted that , in order to attract favorable media attention the Guardian Angels , he had fabricated a series of criminal incidents `` that clearly had not taken place '' in the late 1970 's and early 1980s . Throughout the early 1980’s the group 's distinctive uniform , a red beret and white insignia t-shirt , became instantly recognizable as the group grew . In the early 1980's , he was also active in Buffalo , New York and was often critical of local police policies and practices . Sliwa later became a populist conservative radio talk show host , although his political views are less noticeable than his `` gift of gab '' rapid-fire speaking style . In the early 1990's , Sliwa was co-host with his then-wife Lisa Evers on WABC-AM in New York City . Assassination attempt on Sliwa On June 19 , 1992 Sliwa was ambushed by two gunmen after getting in the back of a taxi in New York City . Sliwa was shot multiple times and underwent surgery for internal injuries and leg wounds . John A . `` Junior '' Gotti , son of the late crime boss John Gotti , and two members of the Gambino crime family were charged with conspiring to murder Sliwa in retaliation for comments about the elder Gotti that Sliwa made during his radio program . On September 20 , 2005 , the case against Gotti was declared a mistrial after the jury became hopelessly deadlocked . A retrial on the same charges was declared a mistrial on March 10 , 2006 , again due to a deadlocked jury . The third trial was declared a mistrial on September 27 , 2006 , once again due to a deadlocked jury . On October 20 , 2006 , prosecutors announced that they will not re-try Gotti , and dismissed the charges against him . Sliwa was outraged by the decision and announced that he will sue Gotti for the kidnapping attempt . Current media presence After his attempted murder , his WABC program was cancelled . Through his friendship with Mayor Rudy Giuliani Sliwa landed a radio program on the then city-owned and operated WNYC . Sliwa is now the co-host , with Ron Kuby , of the `` Curtis and Kuby in the Morning '' program aired weekdays from 5 A.M. to 10 A.M. on WABC. Sliwa and Kuby also co-hosted a television version of `` Curtis & Kuby '' on MSNBC in the afternoons for a time in 2002-2003 . The `` Curtis and Kuby '' radio show has won many broadcasting awards and is produced by Frank Morano . Family In 2004 Sliwa married for a third time and became a father . Trivia Sliwa is known for his connection to the New York City local community and frequently participates in local events . He is an active proponent of the game of stickball and sometimes refers to himself as the `` Stickball Commissioner '' of New York City . He is also a former host and participant in competitive eating events . Notes ^ JamesCunningham , 68 , Dies ; Buffalo Police Commissioner ^ Gotti Jurors Hear Closing Arguments External links WABC Profile 2004 video ( on YouTube ) of Sliwa introducing stickball to Cuba Curtis Sliwa at the Notable Names Database Categories : 1954 births | Living people | Activists | American radio personalities | Competitive eaters | Italian-Americans | People from New York City | Polish-Americans | Roman Catholics | WABC-AM | Shooting victims 370/000025295 Curtis Sliwa 