Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul have demonstrated that increasing the number of police officers in the subways leads to a decrease in crime rates, albeit only to some extent.
According to a recent announcement, overall subway crime has decreased by 8% this year compared to last year, and is 11% lower than in 2019, pre-pandemic.
However, the decline is not as significant as portrayed, and there is no long-term strategy in place to sustain this downward trend in crime.
The question remains: what happens when the additional police presence is withdrawn?
Mayor Adams highlights a “five straight months of double-digit decreases” and notes that robberies this year are at their lowest level “in recorded history.”
“Today, other than during the pandemic, our transit system is the safest it’s been in 14 years,” Mayor Adams proudly states.
However, these results have been achieved after deploying over 1,000 additional officers to the subway system in February, along with an extra 800 to address fare evasion.
In addition to increased police presence, Gov. Hochul also sent in the National Guard and state police to patrol the subways.
Other measures such as more security cameras and the presence of mental health professionals have also contributed to the improved safety.
Despite the decrease in crimes like robberies, there has been an increase in other offenses:
- There have been six murders in the subways this year, compared to five last year and two in 2019.
- Felony assaults are down by 7% from 2023 but remain 51% higher than in 2019.
- Incidents of shooting victims have more than doubled from last year and tripled over the past five years.
Therefore, the trend in violent crime still appears to be heading in the wrong direction.
While the increased police presence and fare evasion crackdown have had a positive impact, Mayor Adams has now pledged to install gun-detecting scanners in the subway system.
However, the data provided by the Mayor does not indicate how many arrests have resulted in prosecutions, raising questions about the effectiveness of consequences for lawbreakers in reducing violent crime.
It is unlikely that the additional law enforcement officers can remain indefinitely, leaving the subways vulnerable to another spike in crime once they are reassigned.
Credit is due to the Mayor, Governor, and MTA boss Janno Lieber for the progress made in improving subway safety.
It is crucial for New Yorkers to feel safe in the subway, as the city’s recovery depends on it. However, a long-term plan, such as expanding the NYPD and ensuring meaningful consequences for criminals, is essential for sustained improvement, rather than temporary solutions.
