As crime rates continue to rise in the New York City subway system, Governor Kathy Hochul has decided to deploy National Guard members to combat crime.
The New York City subway system has long been a vital mode of transportation for millions of residents and visitors. However, in recent years, there has been an alarming increase in crime within the subway system, causing anxiety and fear among commuters.
“For people who are thinking about bringing a gun or knife on the subway, at least this creates a deterrent effect. They might be thinking, ‘You know what, it just may just not be worth it because I listened to the mayor and I listened to the governor, and they have a lot more people who are going to be checking my bags,’” Hochul said at a news conference in New York City.
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In addition to deploying National Guard members, Hochul is implementing enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of commuters.
These measures include increased surveillance, the installation of additional security cameras, and the implementation of technology-driven solutions to detect and prevent criminal activity.
Hochul has attempted to implement a more assertive public safety messaging strategy since Republicans ran strong campaign ads in House races near New York City in 2022, citing concerns about crime.
The executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Donna Lieberman, said in a statement that her subway plan is “another unfortunate example of policymaking through overreaction and overreach.”
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“Sound policy making will not come from overreacting to incidents that, while horrible and tragic, should not be misrepresented as a crime wave and certainly don’t call for a reversion to failed broken windows policies of the past,” she said, referring to the policing theory that going after smaller crimes can help stem greater disorder.
The governor announced that 250 officers from the State Police and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in addition to 750 members of the New York National Guard, will be sent to stations.
They will be joining the NYPD’s stepped-up presence, which was deemed necessary by city officials in light of the violent crime spree that resulted in six shootings in January, one of which was fatal, at a Bronx station.
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