- Written by Kayla Epstein
- BBC News, New York
image source, AFP (via Getty Images)
National Guard soldiers stand guard at Penn Station in New York City.
New York City subway riders have had mixed reactions to Governor Kathy Hochul's decision to deploy the National Guard to protect subways.
Some commuters told the BBC the introduction was a good idea. Some expressed concerns that it could lead to racial profiling.
Troops began operations in their largest military posts on Wednesday.
The governor said he aims to “keep criminals out of our subways and protect all New Yorkers.”
In his remarks Wednesday, the governor cited a series of violent assaults that have made headlines. There have been three murders since January.
“These brazen and brutal attacks on our nation's subway system will not be tolerated,” she said.
The overall picture of crime in New York's transit system is complex.
Last year, overall crime was down about 3% compared to 2022, The New York Times reports. But serious crimes have increased by 13% so far this year.
Police conduct a baggage search at a subway station in New York City.
National Guard troops are already patrolling major transportation hubs such as Port Authority terminals and Grand Central Terminal under a program started after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Under Hochul's plan, 750 security guards would be given the additional task of monitoring key entry points to the subway.
An additional 250 people, including state police and traffic police, have joined the increased security. The governor did not say how long the measures would last.
But her plan has its share of skeptics, even among Ryder herself.
“I'm not excited,” said Matt Craig, 71, as he prepared to enter the Fulton Street station. He said, “I don't like the military running around the subway, and I don't think we need the military. The police are fine.”
The Brooklyn resident, who commutes to work every day, said he thought Mr. Hochul, a Democrat, was carrying out the plan for “political purposes.”
Republicans have repeatedly emphasized crime as an issue during elections.
image source, Adam Gray/Getty Images
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announces National Guard troops will stand guard in subways
Criminal justice experts told the BBC that Hochul's plan likely would not address the core causes of the subway riots and could raise constitutional issues.
“The mental health crisis and the homelessness crisis are being treated as if they are criminal crises,” said Jeffrey Fagan, an expert on crime, policing and public safety at Columbia University.
“Crime does occur in the metro, but it's not rampant.”
Rushing through New York's busiest subway station, some commuters told the BBC that while they welcomed the presence of the National Guard, they had not personally experienced crime on the subway.
“I think it's a great idea,” said Lila, a woman in her 70s who asked the BBC to use only her first name. She said, “There is too much crime. There are too many crazy people in the city.”
“I hate the idea of militarizing civilian things,” David Farber, 81, told the BBC at Union Square Station.
“But I think when you see police and National Guard people around you and people in uniform, it deters people from doing the bad things that are being talked about.”
Police reform advocates say Hochul's announcement that the National Guard will search bags reflects a police practice known as “stop-and-frisk,” which has been found to disproportionately target minorities. said.
Being stopped and searched “would ruffle a little bit because I'm a black man, and I know how people of color feel about that,” said Aaron Hayes, 26. .
“We live in New York, and it's a melting pot of different cultures,” he said.
Hayes wanted to see if having the National Guard on the subway would improve the daily commute for riders like him.
“There's definitely going to be an impact,” Hayes said. “Is it safe? I'm not sure.”
