‘Fear has really gone down’

Crime in the New York City subway system has taken a significant nosedive, with numbers dropping below pre-pandemic levels and reaching a 27-year low. This achievement has been attributed to a focused surge of police officers in the system, as stated by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch during a recent news conference with Mayor Eric Adams while presenting the city’s first-quarter crime statistics.

According to Tisch, major offenses in the subways have decreased by 18%, with zero murders reported in the subway system for the first time since 2018. This positive outcome can be largely credited to the transit safety plan that Tisch introduced in January in response to a surge in subway violence, including a tragic incident where a woman was fatally set on fire inside a Brooklyn train car.

As part of the safety plan, 200 additional police officers were deployed to trains and platforms, with hundreds more stationed at transit hubs to support Governor Kathy Hochul’s initiative of having two officers on every overnight subway. This visible increase in law enforcement presence has been noticed by commuters, who have expressed feeling safer and more at ease while using the subway.

One commuter, Carol Sparks, a newborn care specialist from Brooklyn, mentioned that the subway now feels a lot safer with the added police presence, leading to a decrease in abuse and disturbances. Another visitor from Louisville, Kentucky, Laci Komula, shared her pleasant surprise at the lack of issues while traveling on the subway with her children around the city.

However, despite the positive trend in subway crime statistics, there are some caveats to consider. The overall ridership in the subway system is still below pre-pandemic levels, which may impact the comparison of crime levels. Additionally, while there has been a decrease in overall transit crime, the rise in felony assaults over the years is a concerning trend that needs to be addressed.

Aaron Chalfin, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Pennsylvania, highlighted the increase in felony assaults in the subway system over the past decade, emphasizing the importance of understanding the context of crime trends. While the decline in overall subway crime is noteworthy, the long-term increase in assaults underground should not be overlooked.

Despite the positive statistics, not all commuters feel entirely safe in the subway system. Simone Marshall, a content producer, expressed her ongoing concerns about safety as a single woman, emphasizing that the presence of more police officers does not necessarily guarantee complete safety.

In response to the improved crime numbers, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber commended the collaborative efforts of various agencies in making the subway system safer for New Yorkers. The continuous commitment to reducing crime and holding perpetrators accountable remains a top priority for all stakeholders involved in ensuring the safety of subway commuters.