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Gov. Hochul says NYC subways are safer — then sends in 250 more National Guard troops
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Dec 18, 2024
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Eduardo MunozAlvarez/VIEWpress via Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Dec 18, 2024
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Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that 250 additional New York National Guard members will join the hundreds of Guard troops and police already patrolling the city’s subway system.
The announcement came as Hochul highlighted a 10% drop in subway crime since March.
The state initially deployed 750 National Guard members in March after a string of high-profile subway crimes. Alongside state and MTA police officers, the National Guard has been monitoring subway stations and conducting random checks of commuters' bags. This marks the largest military presence in the city’s subway system since the aftermath of 9/11.
Subway crimes — including rapes, murders and robberies — are down 2.6% overall since 2022, according to NYPD data. However, assaults in the transit system reached a 27-year high in 2023, as Gothamist reported earlier this year.
Hochul credited the increased military presence with making riders feel safer and helping the city achieve a post-pandemic ridership record of 4.5 million people in a single day, the highest since March 11, 2020.
“Lots of people didn't think it would make a difference, and I'm incredibly proud of these individuals in uniform here with me today to tell them 'no.' In fact, it made an extraordinary difference,” Hochul said.
Despite the governor’s praise, some transit advocates questioned the need for an expanded military presence in the subways, particularly as transit crime continues to decline.
“To the extent that riders want an official presence, it's to improve safety on platforms and trains, not at the turnstiles where guards are posted,” said Danny Pearlstein, policy and communications director for public transit advocates Riders Alliance.
Hochul also said 100% of subway cars are now equipped with cameras as part of efforts to improve security.
MTA Chair Janno Lieber, who joined Hochul at the press conference, expressed support for the governor’s measures.
“The data is on our side that the subways are, as a factual matter, becoming safer. Public spaces in New York in general, and the subway is one of them,” Lieber said.
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new york city
transportation
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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