Adams, Hochul trumpet reductions in NYC subway crime over recent months

By Michael Gartland , Rocco Parascandola, Andrew Califf and Larry McShane and Police Bureau Chief in the New York Daily News on Jan 27, 2023 at 1:31 pm.

Gov. Hochul and Mayor Adams on Friday touted a drop in subway crime over the last three months, claiming victory in a battle they joined in October by rolling out plans for a surge of police officers on subway trains, platforms and waiting areas.

Hochul and Adams say the additional officers helped bring about a 28% drop in robberies and a 16% reduction in overall crime, with a rate of 1.7 major crimes per 1 million straphangers so far in 2023 — the lowest figure since the pandemic hit the city.

At the height of the pandemic, police reported nearly three major crimes per 1 million subway riders.

“That is an amazing turnaround,” Hochul said of the new data as she stood with Adams inside the Fulton Transit Center in the Financial District.

“The data is showing us that New Yorkers feel safer. … We had to answer the question ‘Will I be safe?’ We have answered that with a resounding yes.”

Both officials said the result of the new approach was New York straphangers riding the trains with an increased sense of security.

“Crime is actually the number, and it’s how people feel,” said Adams. “We did not ignore what people were feeling. People felt unsafe in our system.”

The new program’s mental health component interacted with 650 people in the subways, Hochul added. And a November survey showed the number of train riders who felt safe or very safe was up 18% from the month prior.

“We’re trying to attract people to come back to the subways,” said Hochul. “And I want people to have the sense that if they need help, it’s there.”

Adams mentioned the importance of getting more police officers into the system for riders — lately weekday ridership has averaged about 3.4 million — aboard trains and on platforms across the boroughs.

“When I ride the trains, people are telling me, ‘Eric, we are seeing the police,’” said Adams. “We’re trending in the right direction. … Nothing makes you you feel better when you’re in the system than seeing that uniformed officer. That uniformed officer brings you a level of calmness.”

Straphangers have noticed more police in the subway system, but opinions about their efficacy is mixed.

“Every station has two cops. I think that is good,” said Brian Mei, 28. “I just feel more safe.”

“There are a lot more police, like, a lot,” said Aissata Barry, 27. “But is it safer? No.”

“I understand they are there for deterrence,” Barry said. “But ultimately they only show up and are only useful for the aftermath of a crime.”

To Van Brabson’s eyes, plenty of cops are walking around the areas near token booths while too few are on subway platforms.

“I notice they travel in pairs, and sometimes they spend more time talking amongst themselves instead of watching,” said Brabson. “I think it’s great, but everything could always be better.”

A spokesman for Hochul said the state has committed $62 million for NYPD overtime, but it was unclear how much was already spent on the initiative. New York state was in the process of reimbursing the overtime costs as the city incurs them, and Adams said the money was not a major concern.

“I want to be clear: There is no price tag on public safety,” said Adams. “The subway is the lifeblood of our city. If people don’t utilize this system, it will impact business, it will impact tourism … and it will cripple our economy.”

The mayor joined the governor October to announce plans for an additional 1,200 overtime police shifts in the subway system.

The MTA also announced plans for unarmed guards at certain subway stops to focus on fare-beaters, while the “Cops, Cameras and Care” initiative was rolled out.

NYPD Chief of Transportation Micheal Kempner said the results “were swift and significant” with the increased police presence, new inpatient units at two psychiatric centers to treat the homeless and a move to put cameras in every subway car.

“The turnaround began immediately and it continues today,” he said.