When you join Dark Guardian's team, the capes are optional — but the crime-fighting is mandatory.
Self-styled "superhero" Chris Pollak, 31 — who for years has gone by the name of Dark Guardian when he patrols the streets of New York in his homemade costume, a red and black leather jacket and a bulletproof vest — is hoping to beef up his crew of city crusaders.
Pollak is holding a recruiting event on Sunday at 180 Maiden Lane at 1:30 p.m., with the goal of finding "heroes to help stand up and fight back against crime and apathy," he told DNAinfo New York.
The Staten Island resident has been donning his body-hugging hero gear and heading out across the city for more than 10 years — and was even featured in an HBO documentary — but says his personal call to action continues to push him to create a larger movement of crime fighters.
"People want to feel safe in their own communities, feel like they have some agency over that," said Pollak, a martial arts instructor when he's not hitting the streets. "I'm here to help, and I think others want to do the same."
As Pollak says in his "Call for Superheroes," now is the time to get involved in patrolling your neighborhood: "Crime is on the rise in New York City. Slashings and attacks on citizens are becoming common place. There are issues between citizens and the police. There is a disconnect between the mayor and the police force. The mayor and NYPD are under investigation. There is a need for community policing."
The crew would pick neighborhoods to patrol, with the idea that their presence works to deter crime, while also doing things like hanging "Wanted" posters.
Pollak became sort of known for his patrols in Greenwich Village, and says he and others have stopped muggings, broken up fights and drug deals.
The police haven't been too keen on Pollak's patrols, but Pollak says he has an "okay" relationship with NYPD.
In case you're wondering, you don't have to wear a costume join the safety patrol, which Pollak is calling the NY Ronins — ronin is a Japanese term for a samurai that has no master — but the whole "code name" thing is part of the ethos of the crew.
"To me the superhero aspect is inspiring," he said. "I want to do something positive and be a role model, do things that a superhero might do in real life."
