New York City’s subway system has been facing a wave of violent incidents, prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to announce a new safety plan. The five-point plan includes deploying 750 National Guard troops and 250 MTA Police to conduct bag checks to keep weapons off trains. Mayor Eric Adams has also committed to adding more police officers and re-instituting bag checks.
Despite the new safety measures, another subway conductor was attacked shortly after the announcement. The plan also includes amending state law to ban repeat offenders, installing cameras in conductor’s cabins, mental health outreach, and improving coordination between police officers and district attorneys to target repeat offenders.
The bag checks have elicited varying reactions from transit riders, with some expressing concerns about racial profiling and others supporting the measures to enhance safety in the subways. New York Civil Liberties Union has criticized the plan, likening it to stop-and-frisk practices. However, Mayor Adams insists the bag checks are random and not based on profiling.
While some believe the safety measures are necessary, others feel they do not go far enough to address the root causes of crime in the subway system. Governor Hochul has not provided specifics on the duration of the surge of National Guard troops and MTA Police, but emphasized that the state has the funds to support the program. The ongoing efforts aim to ensure the safety of passengers and transit workers in the New York City subway system amidst rising crime rates.
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