It's a Washington criminal justice tradition as old as D.C.'s annual summer crime emergency: The Guardian Angels have pledged to amp up their patrols in the wake of a high-profile assault.

Following Sunday's attack on a Metro rider at the L'Enfant Plaza station, D.C. Guardian Angel honcho John "Unique King" Ayala sent out an email to local listservs announcing that his red-beret-wearing squad would increase its presence on trains and in stations. Since the Angels don't actually have arrest powers -- aside from the citizen's arrest powers you've perhaps seen on television -- Ayala says they will "contact Metro Police if we see a crime in progress."

Give these guys a tip of the cap when you see them.