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New York intensified security measures in the metro ahead of the winter holidays, with an additional deployment of 250 members of the National Guard and the installation of more than 15,000 video surveillance cameras in all cars in the system. The governor Kathy Hochul stressed that these actions are part of a five point safety planwhose objective is to reduce crime rates and restore the confidence of subway passengers.
Since January 2021, the crime rate in the metro decreased by 42%while the number of users grew by 148%. In 2024, the System usage increased by 5% compared to the previous year, with a record of 4.5 million passengers in a single day on December 12, according to the New York government.
In this context, the Governor Hochul attributed these results to a combination of strategic measures which include a greater presence of agents, investment in technology and mental health support programs.
The 250 additional members of the National Guard deployed will be assigned to the Joint Task Force – Empire Shielda team tasked with preventing insider threats in New York. These troops They will work together with the Metropolitan Transportation Police (MTA) and the New York Police Department (NYPD) to reinforce surveillance at the busiest stations.
MTA Director Janno Lieber said, “Through strong collaboration with Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, we are making the system not only safe, but perceived as safe.”
With more than 15,396 cameras installed throughout the subway fleet, New York becomes one of the cities with the greatest technological coverage in your public transport. Video surveillance devices are distributed in passenger areas and driver’s cabins, which guarantees the protection of both users and transport personnel.
The plan promoted by the governor also includes the protection of 40,000 transport workers represented by the TWU Local 100 union. Richard Davis, president of the union, stressed: “The increase in security personnel and the installation of cameras reinforce the message that everyone in the system can feel protected.”
The five-point plan also prioritizes attention to mental health problems. Programs like SCOUT and SOSFunded with $20 million, they are designed to address severe crises at stations and railcars.
Besides, regular meetings between local and state authorities They seek to improve coordination to identify and hold repeat offenders accountable. “Working hand in hand with the city and state has allowed for a more efficient approach to security and justice,” said Hochul, who highlighted that these meetings will continue in 2025.
In recent years, the New York subway has been the scene of serious incidents. In January 2022, Michelle Goa 40-year-old Asian-American woman, was pushed onto the train tracks at Times Square station by a homeless man who suffered from schizophrenia. This attack, which occurred in the middle of rush hour, shocked the city and put security at the stations in the spotlight.
In April of the same year, a shooting at a station Brooklyn left 17 people injuredfive of them in critical condition. The perpetrator, identified as Frank James, 62, was arrested after an intensive search involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
In May 2023, another violent event shook the transportation system when a former marine used a choke maneuver in a Line F car to restrain a man who was acting erratically. The victim died of asphyxiationwhich sparked a wide discussion about the use of force in emergency situations.
