Governor Kathy Hochul took the M practice to Queens on Dec. 19, 2024 and spoke with riders (and New York News Metro) about subway security and different points.
Photograph by Jada Camille
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Gov. Kathy Hochul met with transit riders and saluted security patrol throughout a morning commute Thursday, a day after she determined to deploy 250 further Nationwide Guard personnel to strengthen safety measures within the subway system and cut back crime.
The town pol hopped on the M practice on the Lexington Avenue-53rd Avenue station in Midtown, and headed east to Queens — greeting Nationwide Guard and cops on obligation, and chatting with riders alongside the way in which. New York News Metro was invited alongside the journey with the governor and had the chance to talk along with her about subway security.
Governor Hochul sat and talked with riders throughout her commute.Photograph by Jada Camille.
Constructing on a pilot program that started final March, which noticed the position of 1,000 Nationwide Guard members, state police, and MTA Police throughout the subway to cease an early crime spike, Hochul believes that bolstering the presence of those forces is significant for sustaining public security.
Hochul instructed New York News Metro that she believes the added patrols have considerably improved the subway’s security dynamics. Save for crime spikes in January and February 2024, the governor famous that transit crime has declined within the months for the reason that unique deployment in March.
“I didn’t want to change the dynamic when we’re on a good path so I said, ‘Let’s bring a lot more people on here,’” she instructed New York News Metro.
Governor Hochul takes a selfie with a pair of excited riders.Photograph by Jada Camille
The deployment is about extra than simply boots on the bottom, in line with the governor.
Every subway automobile is now geared up with cameras, a transfer geared toward accumulating proof in case of incidents and performing as a deterrent towards potential wrongdoings.
Governor Hochul asserts added cameras, regulation enforcement and Nationwide Guard members have strongly attributed to the lower in crime on metropolis subways.Photograph by Jada Camille.
“If you know you’re being watched, you’re less likely to act out,” she mentioned, highlighting the significance of psychological security alongside bodily safety. “Everyone thanks me for that. They’re grateful to see [the National Guard].”
Transit riders will nonetheless see officers from the NYPD, who’ve the authority underground to make arrests and carry firearms. The Nationwide Guard’s function is primarily preventive, supporting operations associated to bag checks and performing as a protecting presence.
“They’re there to intercede if necessary while also serving as a deterrent,” Hochul mentioned.
Whereas the decline in subway crime can’t be particularly attributed to the presence of cameras and the presence of the Nationwide Guard, Hochul mentioned it may be thought-about one of many key contributors.
Governor Hochul greets practice conductor. Photograph by Jada Camille.
“It’s a strong factor, but you can never say one specific thing has caused a change. The safer people feel, the more they ride, which contributes to safety,” she mentioned.
Relating to elevated subway site visitors lowering crime, New Yorkers not too long ago instructed New York News Metro that the potential enhance of riders following the implementation of congestion pricing — which is slated to start in January 2025 — was one of many causes they’re pushing again on the Manhattan toll plan.
Current figures additionally present New York’s subway system has reached its post-pandemic ridership report.
Hochul believes, nevertheless, that the extra persons are driving the trains, the safer they’ll be.
“Crime goes down the more people there are. A crowded subway car means more witnesses, making it less likely for someone to commit a crime,” she mentioned.
In line with Governor Hochul, the pandemic highlighted a pattern — when ridership drops, crime charges enhance.Photograph by Jada Camille.
Larger fares
On Wednesday, the MTA board permitted its funds plan for 2025, which might embody one other fare hike subsequent summer season, bumping up the bottom subway fare to $3 or greater.
Hochul confused Thursday that the funds doesn’t embody spending on safety measures such because the elevated Nationwide Guard presence.
“The [MTA] have their financial planning process this time of year, which is unrelated to our deployment strategies,” Hochul mentioned.
A supply from the governor’s workplace has mentioned that the Nationwide Guard operations underground are supported by $100 million, which is already included within the state funds. As an alternative of hiring 250 new Nationwide Guard members, the personnel being deployed have already been on payroll and are merely being redeployed.
The Governor reaffirmed her dedication to maintaining the Nationwide Guard lively within the subways for so long as needed, making certain that each residents and guests really feel safe as they navigate the bustling metropolis’s transit system.
