Crime on subways is down compared to years prior, according to data revealed in a Metropolitan Transportation Authority Safety Committee hearing Tuesday.
MTA Chief Safety Officer Patrick Warren says that major crimes on subways were down 12% in January 2023 compared to the same month last year, adding that continued declines in those rates are expected this month.
Data shows there was an average of 3.1 major crimes per 1 million riders in 2022, while that number dropped to 1.6 during the same period this year. The MTA also highlighted its success in adding more patrols in transit hubs such as Grand Central and Penn Station, along with Jamaica and Atlantic terminals.
"The visibility and effectiveness, especially in the train patrol area, has dramatically improved," said MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber. "And I just want to shout out those working in the four terminals. They're very visible, very present and I think when you go through them, the subways and commuter rails, it feels very well policed."
The MTA will be swearing in 29 new police officers Wednesday to be stationed in subways and are looking to hire between 20 and 25 more.