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Witnessing An MTA Worker Get Assualted Could Earn You $2,000
By
Garth Johnston
Published May 22, 2012
Modified May 22, 2012
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By
Garth Johnston
Published May 22, 2012
Modified May 22, 2012
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The MTA and officials in Albany mulled it, and it seems they decided it was a good idea: Going forward, if you witness an assault on an MTA employee and report it to either the NYPD or the MTA Police you can make up to $2,000 in cash thanks to a new MTA-funded program called Transit Watch.
"We want people to come forward and 'say something' if they witness a crime against an MTA employee," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said in a release from Governor Cuomo's office announcing the new program. "This reward program helps us achieve that goal, and it supports our heightened uniformed presence on city buses and subways as a way to protect those responsible for moving millions of commuters each day."
This year there has been a notable uptick in violence against MTA employees—already a class D felony—with at least 48 assaults already reported so far, up from 40 in the same period last year. Considering the TWU was pushing to equip workers with tasers, throwing a little money to loosen some lips seems a safer plan to us.
So! If you witness an assault on an MTA bus or subway you should report it to the NYPD's CrimeStoppers program (800-577-TIPS). If you see an attack on a Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad employee, however, you should report it to the MTA Police Department directly at 212-878-1001. Rewards of up to $2,000 are paid for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the perpetrator.
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TWU Local 100
Garth Johnston
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