A safer subway, starting with the most critical hours. This is the promise made by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who announced the introduction of two uniformed police officers on each subway train between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
The initiative, part of a broader plan, will see the deployment of 750 officers from the NYPD in stations, along with an additional 300 officers aboard the trains for the next six months. The goal is to combat crime in 30 key stations, which account for 50% of the recorded violent incidents.
The Governor’s statements emphasize a strong commitment to ensuring citizens’ safety. Hochul explained that this measure is part of a broader public safety initiative, which also includes infrastructure improvements, such as the installation of barriers at platform edges in over 100 stations by 2025. These stations were selected based on their traffic volume and the technical characteristics of the tracks.
Jessica Tisch, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department, said she was pleased with the new measures, although she highlighted the need to address the issue of recidivism, which she described as a “revolving door” allowing violent criminals to be released back into society.
She pointed out that assigning more police resources to trains was the most effective way to prevent crimes and make people feel safe. She also clarified that the presence of officers on every overnight train represented a significant step towards improving both the perceived and actual safety.
The urgency of this plan was highlighted by recent violent incidents, such as the attack on New Year’s Eve, when a man was pushed onto the tracks at the 18th Street station and nearly lost his life.
At the same time, Hochul announced investment in modern turnstiles at 20 subway access points starting in 2025 to combat fare evasion, as well as the enhancement of lighting with LEDs to improve visibility.
The initiative has garnered support from key institutional figures and commuter advocacy groups. Janno Lieber, President of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, described the project as crucial to making the system more accessible. Lisa Daglian, from the MTA’s Permanent Advisory Committee, reiterated the importance of ensuring the enforcement of laws not only for passengers but also for transportation workers.
With a combination of immediate actions and long-term projects, Hochul’s plan aims to restore public trust in the subway system and make it a safer space for everyone.
