Advocates and officials gather to oppose Gov. Hochul’s subway safety plan
One measure of the plan includes adding more police officers to subway platforms. However, some believe the plan will make matters worse.
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Some advocate groups and New York City officials gathered Thursday to speak out against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s five-point plan to improve safety on subways.
Hochul’s plan was created in response to an uptick in transit crime. One measure of the plan includes adding more police officers to subway platforms. However, some believe the plan will make matters worse.
RELATED: Gov. Hochul’s 5-point subway safety plan underway; what commuters have to say
“Subjecting transit users to suspicionless searches is not just a minor inconvenience, it is an inhumane and potentially unconstitutional invasion. It's also an opportunity for law enforcement to escalate encounters into unjustified arrests and violence, especially of people of color, of people who are unhoused, and people on mental health crisis,” said Karina Tefft, attorney from the Legal Aid Society.
City public advocate Jumaane Williams also said Hochul’s tough on crime stance is not what New York City residents need. He says elected officials should rather shift focus to mental health support and affordable housing to reduce crime.
RELATED: Transport Workers Union calls for more long-term solutions in Gov. Hochul's subway safety plan
