New York’s subway system is set to receive a heightened police presence, with Governor Kathy Hochul unveiling plans to bolster security in response to a wave of violent incidents that have left commuters unsettled.

Governor Hochul, in collaboration with Mayor Eric Adams, announced a new initiative to station police officers on every overnight subway train for the next six months. The program, which will be financed by state funds, aims to ensure a visible security presence between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Hochul made this announcement during her annual State of the State address in Albany on Tuesday, though she did not disclose the cost of the plan.

“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 stated in her prepared speech.

This increase in security comes amid a troubling rise in subway violence. Recent incidents have included stabbings, people being pushed onto train tracks, and a tragic case in December where a woman was fatally set on fire. According to NYPD statistics, there were 10 homicides on the subway last year—twice the number recorded in 2023. Additionally, reported felony assaults climbed to 573, the highest figure since at least 1997.

To complement the heightened police presence, Hochul is directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to implement several safety enhancements. These include installing platform barriers at 100 stations to prevent falls or pushes onto tracks, improving lighting in poorly lit stations, and upgrading fare gates to deter fare evasion.

{Matzav.com}