NEW YORK – Following a series of attacks that occurred over the weekend on the New York City subway system, where two people died and two others were injured on the same train line, traffic officials ask the city police for a greater presence of agents.
MTA President and CEO Patrick J. Foye and NYC Transit Acting President Sarah Feinberg sent a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea on Sunday calling for 1,000 officers to be deployed. Additional Police in the city’s metro and bus system. This request is in addition to the increase of 500 police officers announced by the commissioner on Saturday after the attacks.
In the letter, the officials emphasize their condolences to the victims of the attacks and congratulate the work of the NYPD as they managed to arrest and charge the suspect in the stabbings. In the letter, they point out that the 500 additional officers are an important step to bring security and ward off people’s fear, but that more are needed.
“However, we believe more is needed, so we write today to request that an additional 1,000 NYPD officers be assigned to the Transit Office to patrol subways and buses immediately,” they say. “We request that teams of uniformed officers be assigned to each station and that officers use the system throughout the day and at night to ensure the safety of our customers and colleagues.”
Officials emphasize that while crime overall has decreased, felony assaults have increased by 26.5% in the transportation system despite a 70 percent drop in passenger numbers amid the global pandemic. COVID-19. “Attacks on our workers, from harassment and threats to physical violence, continue to occur far too often,” they say.
Officials are also calling for additional mental health resources to be provided in the system, as is 3-1-1 service for transit. “We know that the city can do more to get help for those who need it most; these requests must be addressed quickly, ”they say. “It is a huge responsibility that we take very seriously, and the reality is that while we provide transportation to millions of people, we simply cannot serve as social service providers as well, nor do we have the necessary expertise. People experiencing a mental health crisis deserve much better care and closer attention. “
The deaths of two people aboard subway cars Friday night and early Saturday are the latest in a series of violence in the subway system.
Police said a man was stabbed in the stomach in an unprovoked attack Thursday night on the 1 train platform in Christopher Street. Earlier on the same day, the uniformed officer noted that someone pushed a 72-year-old man to the ground while waiting for the 7 train at the station 5th Y West 42nd Street.
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday addressed the rise in violent crime, saying the subway is much safer now compared to how things were not so long ago.
“We always have more to do … and that is why the NYPD has added additional staff to the subway,” de Blasio said.
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