The surge of NYPD cops into the subway system that began in January will continue, Gov. Hochul said Wednesday, crediting the initiative with driving subway crime to “historic lows.”
“People feel better when they see individuals in law enforcement,” Hochul told reporters, speaking at Grand Central Terminal. “That’s just a fact of life — you assume that a person who’s going to do harm is less likely to in front of an officer.”
Hochul said that the surge — which began this winter with patrols on every overnight train — may become more flexible and focus on other times of day, but they will continue for at least “a number of months.”
According to the most recently available police data, major crimes in the New York City subway system are down by 2.6% compared to this time last year.
“This summer was the safest summer in at least 15 years,” Hochul said. “Safest July, and now I’m here to report officially, the safest August in recorded history.”
According to Hochul’s office, overall crime in the transit system in August was down 22.8% compared to August 2024.
SUBWAY SECURITY
Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News NYPD Transit officers are seen stationed at the Union Square subway station in this file photo. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News)
Murders on transit are down 63% from last year, with three murders in transit this year versus eight murders to date in 2024. Rapes are up 167%, with eight reported rapes in the subway system this year, up from three by this time last year.
Felony assaults — a category that, by law, automatically includes any assault on a police officer or transit worker — are holding relatively steady, with 390 reported incidents this year, up 2% from 382 last year.
Total crime numbers are down versus pre-pandemic years, as well, with major crimes down 9.6% from 2019. Murders, rapes, felony assaults and burglaries are all up from 2019 levels, however.
But subway crime only makes up 1.7% of all crime in New York City, said MTA security head Michael Kemper.
“Think about that,” he said. “One crime is one too many, but this represents progress.”
SUBWAY_SHOOTING
Luiz C. Ribeiro/for New York Daily News Officers are seen on patrol at the 36th St. and Fourth Ave. subway station in Brooklyn on April 13, 2022. (Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Daily News)
As previously reported by the Daily News, there have been ongoing negotiations as to whether the city or state will foot the bill for the overtime required to surge cops into the subways.
Sources told the News Wednesday that those conversations are ongoing, but that the additional police presence will continue regardless.
“I’m going to continue supporting this,” Hochul said. “I’m committed to making sure — to support the city in their efforts — that they have what they need.”
