New York's leadership has taken a bold step forward in a significant move to combat rising subway crimes.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams have deployed nearly 1,000 National Guard and State Police officers to New York City’s subways in response to an alarming rise in attacks, especially on MTA workers.
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams' partnership signifies an aggressive approach to curtail the escalating wave of subway crimes. Together, they convey that safety in the city's transit system is a top priority.
The force's deployment consists of around 750 National Guardsmen and 250 State Police officers, initially patrolling Manhattan's Penn Station.
Mayor Adams also announced the implementation of random bag checks and an augmentation in plainclothes police presence within the subway system. These measures aim not just to apprehend but also to deter potential offenders by enhancing the visibility of law enforcement.
Increased attacks prompt decisive action
Reference from Mayor Adams highlighted the gravity of the situation.
We're doing our job. You can't have 38 people that committed 1,126 crimes in our city back on our streets. We put 1,000 uniformed members [of the NYPD] in the subway system after we saw the spike going in the month of January. We saw results of that.
The numbers speak for themselves. Last year, 38 individuals were arrested for a total of 1,126 attacks on MTA workers. This statistic, coupled with over 7,600 shoplifting crimes leading to 542 arrests the previous year, underscores the dire need for stringent action.
Mayor Adams has notably pointed out failures in the criminal justice system, particularly regarding the rapid release of repeat offenders, which exacerbates the problem.
Adams's strategy also extends to the introduction of weapons screening systems within the subway, targeting specifically the "recidivist spike" plaguing the city. The deployment of 94 bag-checking teams across 136 stations out of a total of 472 underscores the comprehensive nature of this crackdown.
Preliminary results and strategic enhancements
Despite recent measures, New York City's subway system remains a hotbed for violent incidents. Last month, a subway conductor needed 34 stitches after a random attack, a stark reminder of the dangers that transit workers and commuters face daily.
The perpetrator, Rudell Faulkner, a repeat offender with a staggering 47 priors, was back on the streets despite multiple arrests, highlighting systemic shortcomings in handling repeat offenders.
Yet, there is a beacon of hope. Mayor Adams cited a 15% drop in subway crime in February compared to January, an achievement amid a 13% spike in violent crimes on the subways over the previous year. This data illustrates the nuanced nature of the challenge at hand and the initial success of recent initiatives.
NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper poured praise on the deterrent effect of cameras throughout the subway system, stating:
Those cameras hold tremendous value. And they're throughout the subway system. Thousands of cameras. Those cameras are a deterrent.
Conclusion
Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams have taken decisive steps to enhance safety in New York City's subway system. The deployment of nearly 1,000 National Guard and State Police officers marks a critical effort to tackle a surge in subway crimes, especially those targeting MTA workers.
With increased police presence, random bag checks, and the introduction of weapons screening systems, the city aims to create a deterrent effect against potential offenders. The deployment and new measures signify a comprehensive approach to addressing the symptoms and the root causes of the escalating subway crimes.
NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper's endorsement of the subway's camera system further reinforces the multifaceted strategy employed by the city’s leadership to restore safety and order to one of the world's busiest transit systems.
