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What We Do FAQ The Team Timeline Join Us Our Blog
GET IN CONTACT
What We Do FAQ The Team Timeline Join Us Our Blog GET IN CONTACT
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THE NEW YORK
INITIATIVE

We are a trained collective actively working to make New York City a safer and better place. We focus on stopping violent/sex crimes through the use of direct action, including ethical investigations, community networking, and physical intervention (de-escalation-based and adhering to proper levels of force).

In addition, we perform humanitarian missions that scale from one-on-one street outreach all the way up to training at-risk populations to deal with violent crime patterns.

You want Superheroes? You got 'em.

GET IN CONTACT Navigate to contact form to reach out to the New York Initiative
New York Initiative logo featuring an ouroboros (snake eating its tail) in place of an eye's pupil, with radiating lines around the eye symbolizing vigilance and protection

What We Do:

Stopping Violence Using De-escalation Techniques

If de-escalation fails, act within the force continuum (equal levels of force) to stop violent altercations, as is allowed to us by New York Penal Code Article 35.15. (Yes, it IS LEGAL to defend your fellow citizen -- up to a point.)

Real Life Superhero Community Watchdogs

We act as the unofficial watchdogs of the online RLSH communities due to several instances of pedophilia and violent crimes perpetrated by its members.

Crime Investigation & Violence Interruption

We do spontaneous and planned violence prevention operations in areas of recorded patterns of violence, according to data compiled by the Cyber Division via crime mapping and applied logic.

Anti-Stalker Assistance

This includes assisting people at-risk in documenting evidence, getting video or audio recordings for legal purposes, as well as acting as a protective entourage in some cases.

Mutual Aid

Provide food, clothing, personal items, and protection for the unhoused when possible.

Questions? We have Answers.

Let's clear up a few things you may be wondering.

Do you really think you're "superheroes"?

We use the superhero imagery popularized in fiction with the goal of inspiring hope and more creative pathways in outreach and public protection. It's not something you say you are, but something you do.

What will you not do, and why?

We will not act as an oppressive force in the community.
We will not insert ourselves into situations of non-violent crimes, i.e. drug users, dealers, independent sex workers, etc.
We will not escalate situations with violence.
We will not supersede what the community wants, or insert ourselves into an existing community action without permission from the community.
All of those things are against our mission and what we stand for.

What are your goals?

Re-establishing community connections.
Supplementing existing community watch efforts.
Assisting the public in diminishing violence.
Working with established outreach organizations.
Helping people on the street find resources.
Bringing hope for the future back to New York City.

Learn More About NYI

Watch our videos to understand our mission and see us in action

Bones and D3V1L on Patrol in Brooklyn

Bones and Devil on a Brooklyn Patrol

Team in Action

Park Slope Rapist Investigation (shot by Johnny Kingsboro)

Meet the Team

We are a diverse group of individuals with a common goal.

ALL NYI MEMBERS ARE THOROUGHLY SCREENED WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

Berylvale

Mission Analysis & Support

He is Ex-military with a variety of skills including first aid, fencing, survival, navigation, geo location, topography, and archery.

A man wearing a plague doctor mask

Bones

Medical Expert/Cyber Investigation Division

He is a practicing physician with a background in private security, parkour, and mutual aid organizing. Along with his work on the cyber team, he is currently pursuing training in street medicine.

D3V1L

D3V1L

Field Tactical Expert

He is trained in Verbal De-Escalation/ Conflict Resolution. He also has experience in the areas of investigation and psychology. He is a Muay Thai and boxing practitioner, and has improvised weapons training.

Discordia Matrix

Discordian Matrix

Technology Expert/Devops

He is well-versed in OSINT (Open Sourced Intelligence) and Cyber Investigation. In addition, Discordian utilizes his technical expertise to handle various tasks, including but not limited to programming and website development for the NYI and other superhero-themed activists.

A business suit with a question mark in place of a head

E0N

Research/Cyber Investigation Division

He is a former military intelligence specialist and currently works as a private detective and security officer.

Kitsune

KITSUNE

Armorer/Reserve Field Member

He is a rapid prototyper specializing in designing defensive solutions for the team. In addition to being the team’s armorer he is an investigator and reserve field member. He is trained in Shotokan Karate.

Sig

Sig

Missing Persons/Treasurer

She is an ethical data aggregator and administrative coordinator. Her focuses are "Cold Cases" and Missing Persons Resources Coordination. One of her goals is to help put laws into place that create much higher visibility for missing person searches.

Sky Knight

Sky Knight

Tech Consultant

He is a repair technician working primarily with computers and electronics on both a hardware and software level. He is responsible for cybersecurity and implementation of tech solutions for the team.

Spectral Hawk

Spectral Hawk

Intelligence Analyst/Legal Researcher

Professional industry experience in OSINT investigations. Bachelor's degree in criminology and knowledge of criminal law and protocol.

War

WAR

Field Tactical Expert/Scout/Spotter

He has been specially trained in a variety of skills including tactics and strategy. He has applied knowledge in the areas of forensic psychology and body language analysis. He is trained in Hung Ga, Shuai Jiao, and Muay Thai.

Contact Us/Violent Crime Tips

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