Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday announced continued progress in bolstering safety across New York City’s subway system, highlighting a 10% reduction in subway crime this year as ridership climbs to post-pandemic highs. Joined by Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) CEO Janno Lieber and law enforcement officials, Hochul emphasized measures to ensure safer commutes for millions of New Yorkers.
Since the launch of a five-point subway safety plan in March, crime on the transit system has declined significantly, contributing to a broader 42% drop since January 2021. Subway ridership has surged 148% over the same period, with a record 4.5 million riders using the system on Dec. 12, marking a post-pandemic milestone.
To further strengthen safety, Hochul announced the deployment of 250 additional members of the New York National Guard to the Joint Task Force – Empire Shield. This brings more personnel to key subway stations, complementing ongoing collaborations between the National Guard, MTA Police, and NYPD to monitor the busiest transit hubs.
“We’re making good on our promise to keep New Yorkers safe in the subways,” Hochul said. “By increasing law enforcement presence and installing security cameras on every car, we’re deterring crime, protecting riders, and restoring confidence in our transit system.”
Key Measures Under the Five-Point Safety Plan
Enhanced Surveillance with Security Cameras
The MTA has completed the installation of 15,396 security cameras across all subway cars, a project accelerated under Hochul’s direction. Cameras have been placed in passenger areas to enhance rider safety and in conductor cabins to protect transit workers.
Improved City-State Coordination
Hochul’s plan has increased cooperation between state and city agencies to hold offenders accountable. Regular meetings between law enforcement, transit personnel, and prosecutors have streamlined the handling of repeat offenders, supporting district attorneys in keeping violent individuals out of the transit system.
Mental Health Initiatives
The state has also expanded mental health outreach programs, including the Subway Co-Response Outreach (SCOUT) and Safe Options Support (SOS) teams, which address crises within the subway system. The SCOUT initiative, funded with $20 million in March, aims to deploy 10 teams by the end of 2025.
Focus on Worker Safety
Protecting over 40,000 transit workers, including members of the Transport Workers Union Local 100, is a cornerstone of the safety initiative. Security measures have been tailored to enhance safety for employees who keep the system operational.
The subway safety plan, introduced in March, will continue into 2025 with the aim of ensuring sustainable safety improvements. Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to tackling crime and maintaining the system’s resilience as ridership grows.
The Joint Task Force, which includes personnel from the New York Army National Guard, Air National Guard, New York Guard, and Naval Militia, focuses on deterring internal security threats. Its members have been instrumental in reinforcing safety across New York’s transportation hubs.
