Governor Cathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams released statistics indicating an overall 16% drop in metro crime since late October.
A change that some users like Simone Ayala have noticed, he says.
“You really see a lot of the police force. I think it’s improved,” Ayala said.
During the press conference at the Fulton Transit Center in lower Manhattan, Hochul noted a 28% decrease in serious crimes.
Calling it a “good day” for New Yorkers, the governor said data shows crime on the subway has dropped to pre-pandemic levels.
Hochul indicated that in 2019, 1.5 crimes were reported for every million users. A number that reached 2.8 in 2020. But it fell to 1.7 crimes per million passengers during the first weeks of January.
The governor cited a customer satisfaction survey the MTA conducted with 3,000 users.
The study concluded that the number of people who felt safe in the subway increased by 18 percent in October, from 40 to nearly 60 percent in a month.
It was the month of October that the “Police, Cameras and Care” initiative was announced, which increased police presence, installation of security cameras and mental health services in the system.
“You don’t see as many ‘homeless’ people on trains lately as you did during the pandemic. Well, now after the pandemic it looks a little less,” Osvaldo Gallardo said.
On the other hand, other travelers say they haven’t noticed much change and they still don’t feel safe.
“Those who are not consistent, no, they have told me everything and they want to push me. They wanted to attack me at the station,” said Jaime Cabrera.
Another passenger said, “It is good that it has improved, other times it continues like this.”
According to state government data, the number of passengers is expected to exceed 1 billion in 2022 for the first time since 2019.
“3.9 million subway users tell us they feel safe every day.
“I’m proud to hear that we’re headed in the right direction, and we won’t be slowing down.
“Thank you @GovKathyHochul for helping keep New Yorkers safe,” Mayor Adams said in a social media post.
3.9 million subway riders are telling us they feel safe every day.
I’m proud to hear that we’re headed in the right direction — and we won’t be slowing down.
Thanks @GovKathyHochul For your part in keeping New Yorkers safe. pic.twitter.com/vljFjPkzJX
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 27, 2023
Both Hochul and Adams indicated that although progress is important, they will continue to work to improve the safety of subway users.
