NYPD Officers to Deploy on Overnight Subway Trains Starting Monday
Phased Approach to Address Subway Safety
The NYPD is set to deploy dozens of additional officers throughout the MTA overnight starting Monday night as part of the governor’s latest plan to address safety.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Plan
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the phased approach subway safety last week during her State of the State address. In it, she said the police department would put two cops on every overnight train.
“I want to see uniformed police on the platforms, but more importantly, we will put an officer on every single train, overnight – 9 p.m. to 5 a.m – over the next six months and the state will support these efforts financially,” Hochul said on Tuesday.
Deployment Details
A law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the rollout told NBC New York the first round of cops would be deployed Monday night. More than 70 NYPD personnel would be on the trains starting Monday night, the source said.
The plan is to deploy additional officers soon to have all overnight trains covered.
Additional Measures
Hochul made the announcement while highlighting the state’s effort to “reduce crime and the fear of crime,” including the deployment of 1,250 state personnel from State Police and National Guard.
In Dec, the governor and MTA officials said that a plan to combat subway safety had resulted in a 10 percent decrease in a period of seven months. Since January 2021, crime was down 42 percent.
Support from Mayor Eric Adams
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was mentioned by name multiple times during the speech, celebrated the subway-focused initiatives promoted by the governor.
“We also appreciate the governor’s willingness to commit state resources to putting more officers in our transit system. When I ride our trains and speak to everyday New Yorkers, they repeatedly tell me how they want to see more officers on our subways and more help for those suffering from severe mental illness,” Adams said in a written statement. “The governor is right to prioritize these investments because public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity.”
Legislation to Expand Involuntary Commitment Laws
Hochul, who recently supported an expansion of the state’s involuntary commitment laws to allow hospitals to compel more mentally ill people into treatment, double-down on the need to pass new legislation expanding the law.
Currently, state law allows police to force people to be taken to the hospital if they appear to be mentally ill and their behavior poses a risk of physical harm to themselves or others. While the governor has not released additional details about the legislation changes, she had said it “will expand that definition to ensure more people receive the care they need.”
MTA’s Role
In addition to police on platforms and subway cars, the governor directed the MTA to install “more barriers” in 100 stations and bright LED lighting in every station by the end of 2025.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber also welcomed the governor’s affordability agenda and her support for the Capital Plan, which includes extending the Second Avenue subway in East Harlem.
Conclusion
The announcement of new safety measures for the subway also coincides with the start of the second week of congestion pricing, the controversial plan to charge drivers traveling into Manhattan $9 during peak hours and what is expected to be a difficult reelection campaign.
FAQs
* When will the NYPD officers start deploying on overnight subway trains?
+ Starting Monday night, more than 70 NYPD personnel will be on the trains.
* How many officers will be deployed on each train?
+ Two officers will be deployed on every overnight train.
* What is the goal of the governor’s plan?
+ The goal is to reduce crime and the fear of crime in the subway system.
* What other measures are being taken to improve subway safety?
+ The MTA will install “more barriers” in 100 stations and bright LED lighting in every station by the end of 2025.
