New York State, New York City announce police and mental health efforts to address transit crime

A series of expanded initiatives for the New York City subways were announced last week as part of a joint effort between the State of New York and New York City to crack down on transit crime through traditional law enforcement means and community psychiatric care.

This will equate to a massive boost in police presence on the subway system as officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) initiate a so-called surge. In translation, this will bring another approximately 1,200 overtime shifts for these officers to platforms and trains and extend officer presence to more than 300 stations during peak hours. This will be paid for by the State’s public emergency fund and through efforts to find a dedicated revenue source from the City.

“My number one priority as Governor is keeping New Yorkers safe in the streets, in their homes, in their schools, and on the subway, and we will do whatever it takes to make our subways safer for riders,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “Our expanded subway safety strategy of Cops, Cameras, and Care will crack down on subway crime, help those experiencing homelessness get the support they need to get out of the system and alleviate concerns of riders to ensure New Yorkers feel safer throughout the subway system. Building on our ongoing collaboration with the City, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Mayor and the NYPD to deliver the safety and security New Yorkers deserve.”

As Hochul alluded, though, this effort represents more modern fare. It will not solely be about enforcement: money will also go to two newly dedicated, 25-bed inpatient units at psychiatric centers to help those enduring serious mental health issues. Specifically, these units will reach out to the City’s extensive street and homeless populations, while police and EMTs will simultaneously face updated best practices for how to engage with these populations and transport any in need of psychiatric evaluation.

“This effort will help with two things New Yorkers desperately want: The addition of hundreds of additional strategically deployed officers on our trains and help to those suffering from serious mental health illness so they can find a way out of the subway system,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. “We must address both the perception and reality of safety, and the expanded partnership we are announcing today with Governor Hochul will do just that while building off the successes of our Subway Safety Plan. The bottom line is that riders will see more officers in the system, and so will those thinking of breaking the law. On behalf of all New Yorkers, we’re thankful for this state investment that will make our subways safer.”

In continuation of an ongoing process, MTA will also add cameras to each subway car, and conductors will begin announcing when riders are entering a station with police officers present. Some 100 NYPD officers will be further freed up for deployment at priority transit locations on trains and in stations.