By C.J. Sullivan

QUEENS KNIGHT The corner of Grandview and Greene Aves. in the neighborhood of Ridgewood on the border of Brooklyn and Queens is one of the safest blocks in the city. It's anchored by an odd building that keeps the block secure: a house with a magenta front, black and red awnings, and purple and black flags. Behind a wrought-iron fence are security cameras, potted plants and trees. The name on the building reads, "Wizard Knight of the Hood."

What keeps the walls free of graffiti and its doors safe from break-ins are the signs: "Inflict the maximum damage in the shortest amount of time" and "Armed Martial Arts Black belts...You loot, We Shoot" and "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition...We are on a mission from God."

Pete Traina, 51, has owned this building for 26 years and has lived his whole life in Ridgewood. This castle is his home.

"When I was a kid I loved movies with wizards and knights. If I could go back to any time it would be back to the medieval ages in the times of lords, ladies and knights."

Traina runs a host of businesses from his house: bodyguard work, martial arts training, security and alarm services and firearms training, to name a few. In his spare time, he's even pulled some acting work on shows like Third Watch, Law & Order and The Sopranos.

Traina was awarded the title of Shihan, which is a martial arts rank for a master. He had two schools where kids learned to fight.

"I was teaching kids…how to use martial arts effectively on the streets of New York. I think that made the parents nervous."

He closed them to focus on his bodyguard work.

The house was painted purple and black because those were his wife's favorite colors. She passed away two years ago during an asthma attack.

Traina then told me about his truck: an S-10 Chevy pick-up with huge lights on top for night work and a winch on the front for towing and hauling. What makes the truck special is the Viking bust at front and dragon wings on the back.

"A woman told me that she locks her bike in front of my house and truck because she knows it won't get stolen."

Traina makes most of his meat from bodyguard work. When cardinals come to town, the Vatican hires him. He's also worked for the Italian Ambassador, even rock stars such as Van Halen, AC/DC and the Who.

As for his castle, Traina admits that newcomers to the neighborhood may think he's a wacko, but as he puts it, the regulars fill them in.

"I get a lot of respect around here. Everyone knows me."