In a significant move to address the rising concerns about safety in the New York City subway system, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that 750 National Guard troops and 250 state police officers will be deployed to the city’s subway stations.
The decision comes after a series of high-profile crimes on city trains, including a subway conductor who was slashed in the neck while working in Brooklyn last month.
The National Guard troops and state police officers will work alongside the New York Police Department to conduct bag checks at the entrances of busy train stations. Governor Hochul hopes that the increased security presence will deter potential criminals from bringing weapons onto the subway system and make the public feel safer while using public transportation.
“No one heading to their job or to visit family or go to a doctor’s appointment should worry that the person sitting next to them possesses a deadly weapon,” said Governor Hochul. “They shouldn’t worry whether someone’s going to brandish a knife or gun. That’s what we’re going to do with these checkpoints.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is deploying 750 National Guard officers into New York City’s subway system after a rash of violent incidents has reignited fresh concerns about safety on the biggest US transit network. https://t.co/jQMjrFJ3q2
— Bloomberg (@business) March 6, 2024
The deployment of National Guard troops and state police officers to the New York City subway system is part of a five-point plan to improve safety on the city’s public transportation.
The plan also includes increasing the number of surveillance cameras and expanding the use of metal detectors in subway stations.
Critics of the plan argue that the increased security presence could lead to racial profiling and may not address the root causes of crime in the subway system. However, Governor Hochul insists that the deployment is necessary to ensure the safety of the millions of people who use the subway system every day.
The deployment of National Guard troops and state police officers to the New York City subway system is a significant development in the ongoing effort to combat crime and improve safety on the city’s public transportation.
It remains to be seen whether the increased security presence will have a lasting impact on crime in the subway system, but it is clear that the city is taking proactive steps to address the concerns of its residents and visitors.
