Guardian Angels' Sliwa offers N.Y. 'Underbelly Tour'

[April 15, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Forget dinner and a Broadway show. Tourists can now get a look at New York City's criminal underbelly, thanks to Curtis Sliwa (SLEE'-wuh).

The Guardian Angels founder has launched a three-hour "Underbelly Tour" of the South Bronx that talks about the rough-and-tumble 1970s and lingering crime problems. Tour highlights could include drug houses, money-laundering fronts and "chop shops" that break down stolen cars. Guests are transported on the No. 4 train, once known as the Mugger's Express.

Sliwa is now a radio host. He concedes that the area has improved dramatically. But he tells the Daily News that visitors can still "get a flavor of what it was like."

The tour price is negotiable. Proceeds support the Guardian Angels crime-prevention network.

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On the Net:

http://www.curtissliwa.com/

[Associated Press]

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