Guardian Angels get support, but no free fares, in Philadelphia

The Guardian Angels, the volunteer patrol formed in New York in the late 1970s, got an official welcome yesterday from Philadelphia police officials who endorsed their help in monitoring public safety on city subways.

But the red-bereted Angels did not get the one other thing they wanted: free passes, or at least reduced fares, for SEPTA's subways.

Guardian Angels officials began recruiting again in Philadelphia after the March 26 beating and death of Sean Patrick Conroy, 36, who was attacked by a group of teens on the concourse at the 13th Street Station on the Market-Frankford line.

By the end of that week, Guardian Angels' founder Curtis Sliwa was in town from New York promoting plans for his group to ride the subways to help supplement SEPTA's 260-member transit police force.

Yesterday, 10 days after the Angels began sending some teams on the subways, Angels organizers got what they wanted: an official audience.

John Ayala, the group's Mid-Atlantic director, said he and other Angels met for about 45 minutes with Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey and two top SEPTA police officials: Chief Richard Evans and Deputy Chief David Scott.

"They rolled out the red carpet for us," Ayala said.

Ramsey said after the meeting that he welcomed their presence to enhance patrols and reduce crime. Ramsey noted that he worked with the Angels in Chicago and Washington, with positive results.

Whatever work the Angels do in the subways, however, will be on their own token. SEPTA officials said they were prohibited by charter from giving free passes to anyone but SEPTA employees and uniformed city police and firefighters.

"We have consistently welcomed the Guardian Angels, as we have every other town-watch and neighborhood organization," SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney said. "The issue [with free passes] is: Where do you draw the line?"

Ayala said the cost of transit fares is tough for some volunteer Guardian Angels to afford.

"We're still going to patrol, though," Ayala said. "It's necessary."

Marcus "Strider" Dent of Baltimore said he and others from that city, Washington and New York would come to Philadelphia to help expand and train here. The goal is to have 200 people join the Angels this year for a stronger street presence.

Dent said Ramsey was positive in the meeting about forming a strong partnership.

"He actually has a history with the Guardian Angels," Dent said. "This is an easy fix here."