Amid a slew of crime cases taking place in the New York City subway system, New York Governor Kathy Hochul decided to send 1,000 members of the National Guard, state police, and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officers to perform baggage screening within the most active stations in a press conference on March 6th.
The effort is designed to “rid our subways of people who commit crimes and (to) protect all New Yorkers whether you’re a commuter or a transit worker.” She added: “No one heading to their job or visit family or go to a doctor appointment should worry that the person sitting next to them possesses a deadly weapon.” The governor also requested that an additional number of security cameras be installed.
MTA Police Chief of Operations Thomas Taffe said “reducing the fear of crime” is as crucial as “reducing crime itself,” and “our focus is to respond to issues that most affected riders, the feeling of disorder, that fear of crime.”
A chain of recent physical attacks against citizens while riding or waiting for subways led to increased anxiety and criticism over the lack of safety within the system.
