The NYPD is about to deploy dozens of further officers all through the MTA in a single day beginning Monday evening as a part of the governor’s newest plan to deal with security.
Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced the phased strategy subway security final week throughout her State of the State tackle. In it, she mentioned the police division would put two cops on each in a single day prepare.
“I want to see uniformed police on the platforms, but more importantly, we will put an officer on every single train, overnight – 9 p.m. to 5 a.m – over the next six months and the state will support these efforts financially,” Hochul mentioned on Tuesday.
There are 472 subway stations, 25 routes and 665 miles of observe throughout town, presenting a so-called daunting job for the division. A legislation enforcement supply with direct data of the rollout advised NBC New York the primary spherical of cops could be deployed Monday round 9:30 p.m.
Greater than 70 NYPD personnel could be on the trains beginning Monday evening, the supply mentioned. The plan is to deploy further officers quickly to have all in a single day trains coated, with a objective of ramping as much as round 300 officers and guaranteeing cops on all 150 in a single day trains.
It was not clear on when the NYPD deliberate on having all in a single day trains staffed with officers. The governor mentioned there was cash accessible to pay additional time.
Hochul made the announcement whereas highlighting the state’s effort to “reduce crime and the fear of crime,” together with the deployment of 1,250 state personnel from State Police and Nationwide Guard.
“We are thrilled that the Governor and the mayor have come to an agreement that actually puts cops on trains overnight,” mentioned MTA Chairman Janno Lieber. “Between 30% and 40% of the crime happens in those late night hours, so having cops on trains is a great improvement.”
In Dec, the governor and MTA officers mentioned {that a} plan to fight subway security had resulted in a ten p.c lower in a interval of seven months. Since January 2021, crime was down 42 p.c.
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, who was talked about by title a number of instances through the speech, celebrated the subway-focused initiatives promoted by the governor.
“We also appreciate the governor’s willingness to commit state resources to putting more officers in our transit system. When I ride our trains and speak to everyday New Yorkers, they repeatedly tell me how they want to see more officers on our subways and more help for those suffering from severe mental illness,” Adams mentioned in a written assertion. “The governor is right to prioritize these investments because public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity.”
We admire the governor’s willingness to commit state sources to placing extra officers in our transit system as a result of, once I trip our trains and converse to on a regular basis New Yorkers, they repeatedly inform me how they wish to see extra officers on our subways and extra assist for these…
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 14, 2025
Hochul, who not too long ago supported an growth of the state’s involuntary dedication legal guidelines to permit hospitals to compel extra mentally in poor health individuals into remedy, double-down on the necessity to go new laws increasing the legislation.
Presently, state legislation permits police to pressure individuals to be taken to the hospital if they look like mentally in poor health and their conduct poses a threat of bodily hurt to themselves or others. Whereas the governor has not launched further particulars in regards to the laws modifications, she had mentioned it “will expand that definition to ensure more people receive the care they need.”
“Now critics will say this criminalizes poverty or homelessness. I say that is flat out wrong,” Hochul mentioned throughout Tuesday’s tackle in regards to the opposition to her push for harder legal guidelines. “This is about having the humanity and the compassion to help people incapable of helping themselves.”
Along with police on platforms and subway automobiles, the governor directed the MTA to put in “more barriers” in 100 stations and vibrant LED lighting in each station by the top of 2025.
Lieber additionally welcomed the governor’s affordability agenda and her assist for the Capital Plan, which incorporates extending the Second Avenue subway in East Harlem.
“We also need to ensure that the subways, buses and commuter railroads are safe and feel safe,” Lieber mentioned “So we welcome the Governor’s dedication of further sources for transit security, together with extra police deployments, set up of platform edge limitations, and new fare gates”
The announcement of latest security measures for the subway additionally coincides with the beginning of the second week of congestion pricing, the controversial plan to cost drivers touring into Manhattan $9 throughout peak hours and what it’s anticipated to be a tough reelection marketing campaign.
