NYC Subway Crime Crackdown: New Measures Unveiled

New York City is taking a strong stance against subway crime and fare evasion with a multi-pronged approach. Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced a $77 million plan to bolster safety and deter fare evasion, a problem costing the MTA hundreds of millions annually.

Turnstile Spikes: A Controversial Solution?

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has begun installing metal spikes on turnstile guardrails in an attempt to prevent fare evasion. However, their effectiveness is questionable, as fare evaders can easily jump over or duck under the barriers. This initiative has been met with criticism from some riders, who deem them a waste of money. Image of subway turnstile spikes

Increased Police Presence and Surveillance

To combat rising crime rates, the city is significantly increasing police presence in the subway system. This includes an additional 750 officers patrolling the subway, and 300 more officers assigned to trains during overnight hours. This action, along with the estimated 1,000 National Guard troops already deployed, essentially doubles the number of law enforcement personnel in the subway compared to a year ago. Governor Hochul also highlighted the expansion of surveillance efforts, including cameras in every subway car. Image of Gov. Hochul at press conference

Other Safety Measures

Beyond the increased police presence and turnstile modifications, the plan includes:

• Installation of modern high-rise turnstiles at 40 stations.
• Installation of new platform edge barriers at over 100 stations.
• LED lighting upgrades in all stations.
• Expansion of 24/7 "Welcome Centers" near end-of-line stations to assist the homeless.

While overall crime in the city is down, several recent high-profile incidents on the subway, including a fatal arson and a near-fatal pushing incident, spurred the significant increase in safety measures. The impact of these new initiatives remains to be seen.

Image of subway fare evader