Trains are central to the lives of many Americans as they are cheap means of transportation. But to find them, you need to enter a subway. Unfortunately, recently, there has been a surge in crimes occurring in them. This has left the state Governor, Kathy Hochul, responding in force.
According to her statement on Wednesday, she will deploy New York National Guard troops and State Police troopers into the subway system. She hopes that this can help riders feel safe after the spike in transit crime.
The new deployment is in addition to the 1,000 New York City cops who started patrolling subway lines last month. Their assignment came after an attack on a conductor and other high-profile crimes.
The deployment of National Guard troops is reportedly part of a five-point plan to protect subway riders. “Since taking office, I have been laser-focused on driving down subway crime and protecting New Yorkers,” Hochul said.
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“My five-point plan will rid our subways of violent offenders and protect all commuters and transit workers. I am sending a message to all New Yorkers. I will not stop working to keep you safe and restore your peace of mind whenever you walk through those turnstiles.”
Hochul will have the New York National Guard make 750 members currently part of the Joint Task Force Empire Shield available to help keep the peace.
“The service members of the New York National Guard are always ready to assist our partners as they ensure the safety and security of our fellow citizens,” Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, adjutant general of the state National Guard, said.
Hochul’s plan also includes assigning 1,000 state workers to assist the NYPD in heavily trafficked areas of the subway system. Additionally, she announced a proposal to amend state law. The amendment will allow judges to ban people convicted of an assault within the system from using MTA services.
There is currently a provision that allows a transit ban as a term of sentencing for individuals who assault transit workers. However, under her plan, the provision will now include assaults on anyone within the subway system.
Additionally, the five-point plan will aim to improve coordination among concerned authorities on how to best to fight crime in the subway system.
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This includes initiating regular meetings between the agencies to share information “regarding holding dangerous, repeat offenders within the system accountable.” The first meeting is scheduled for next week.
Hochul also plans to hire a new “criminal justice advocate” to assist the victims of subway crime. To support this, transit police officials will develop a new early warning system. They hope it will flag recidivist offenders for district attorney offices during booking processes.
The MTA is moving up the timeline for the installation of cameras inside subway cars. According to Hochul, new cameras will focus on conductor cabins to protect workers and assist cops in identifying and arresting criminals.
Hochul is allocating $20 million to expand the Street Conditions Observation Units or SCOUT team pilot program in partnership with New York City. This includes people trained to handle severe cases of those in the throes of a mental health crisis in the subway system.
The governor said the additional funds will help rapidly scale up the pilot program. Transit crime fell by over 15% in February compared to a year ago. However, subway crime in January was up 45%, mostly due to grand larcenies.
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NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper said the number of arrests in the subway system rose 45% this year. More than 3,000 arrests were made in the subway system in the first two months of the year. And many of them were repeat offenders, according to Kemper.
Hochul’s recent action follows the shooting of six people at a subway station in the Bronx on February 13. Her plans received immediate praise from some New York City prosecutors. They say they are ready to work with new personnel and tech to keep citizens safe.
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