Increase in violence reported over holiday weekend as mayor’s subway safety plan takes effect

At least eight different cases of violence on subway platforms and trains have been reported so far during this long holiday weekend, including last night at the Franklin Avenue station in Brooklyn.

News 12 Staff

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Feb 21, 2022, 2:52 PM

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Updated 1,025 days ago

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ subway safety plan takes effect today and some say it is coming at the perfect time.

At least eight different cases of violence on subway platforms and trains have been reported so far during this long holiday weekend, including last night at the Franklin Avenue station in Brooklyn.

According to police around 12:30 a.m. a man was waiting for a train, saw another man on the platform staring at him and when he asked why, the man allegedly took out a hatchet and swung at him.

Police say the man missed, and transit cops were in the station at the time and arrested the suspect, who they identified as Robert Griffits, of Flatbush.

Officials say an increased presences of transit police is something that can be expected more under Adams’ new subway safety plan.

The plan includes sending 30 joint response teams, which include cops, along with people from the Department of Health and Department of Homeless Services, into the a subway station.

The goal is to create an increase emphasis on enforcing existing subway rules, like not allowing people to lie across seats, and making sure everyone gets off the train at the last stop.

However, the mayor’s plan won’t be seen on every subway line, it starts by targeting just the A, E, 1, 2, N and R trains.