Gov. Hochul to deploy National Guard, state police to NYC subways in the Bronx

City officials say the city has seen a 75% spike in transit crimes in the Bronx so far this year compared to the same period last year.

Shakti Denis

Mar 6, 2024, 11:19 AM

Updated 142 days ago

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Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a five-point plan aimed at boosting subway safety.
The governor says the first step of the plan is to deploy an additional 1,000 members of the New York State Police, MTA police and the New York National Guard to conduct bag checks in some of the busiest subway stations.
The second step involves Hochul introducing a bill that would allow judges to ban people from the buses and subways who have previously been convicted of assault within the transit system.
The third point is to install cameras in all conductor cabins as well as expedite the installation of cameras throughout the entire system.
The fourth point is to improve the coordination between law enforcement and district attorney's. The governor said in order for district attorneys to properly prosecute crimes, they must be armed with all the proper information about those committing them.
The final point is to expand the Subway Outreach Initiative. The governor says the program will receive an additional $20 million in funding to expand from two to 10 teams by the end of next year. The teams consist of mental health clinicians and law enforcement tasked with handling some of the most severe mental health crises in the subway system
"Since taking office, I have been laser-focused on driving down subway crime and protecting New Yorkers," Hochul said. "My five-point plan will rid our subways of violent offenders and protect all commuters and transit workers. I am sending a message to all New Yorkers: I will not stop working to keep you safe and restore your peace of mind whenever you walk through those turnstiles."
As for how long certain measures like bag checks will be in place, the governor says as long as necessary. She says they will not be advertising an end date to prevent their efforts from being compromised by criminals.
City officials say the city has seen a 75% spike in transit crimes in the Bronx so far this year compared to the same period last year. Citywide crime in the subway is up by 13% so far this year.
The NYPD reported that subway crime was down across the city compared to last February, but transit crime was still up by more than 30% for the month in the Bronx.
That spike has mostly came from two deadly shootings just weeks apart at the 182-183rd Street station and at the Mount Eden station.


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