Governor’s Office Convenes Meeting with District Attorneys, Law Enforcement, City Hall and MTA
New Task Force Launched As Part Of Governor Hochul’s Five-Point Subway Safety Plan
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the first meeting of the New York Subway and Transit Safety Task Force. The Executive Chamber convened New York City’s five district attorneys, leaders from the New York State Police and New York City Police Department, New York City public safety officials and the Metropolitan Transit Authority to coordinate a response to recent incidents on the subway.
“Like all New Yorkers, I'm horrified by yesterday's shooting on the A Train. No subway rider should commute in fear that they’ll be the victim of a shooting or slashing – and we're taking coordinated action to keep straphangers safe,” Governor Hochul said. “The only way to solve the recent spike in subway crime is to collaborate across all levels of government. Working together with Mayor Adams, police, prosecutors and transit officials, we’ll make sure every New Yorker is protected. "
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “As a former transit officer, I know that subway safety is public safety and bringing the entire criminal justice system to the table will only enhance our efforts to keep people safe. Crime is down across the city, but our subway system is the key for millions of New Yorkers to get to work, school, and see loved ones. We must do everything we can to make sure they feel safe, and I am thankful to Governor Hochul for her continued partnership.”
Today's meeting at Governor Hochul's New York City office convened representatives from New York City prosecutors, multiple law enforcement agencies, City Hall and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). This included the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York (DAASNY) – represented by the organization's incoming president, Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon – as well as representatives from the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx District Attorney’s Offices. It also included representatives from the New York State Police, Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Department (MTAPD), and New York City Police Department (NYPD). Other participants included New York City Transit President Rich Davey, Assistant Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Louis Molina and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.
The Subway and Transit Safety Task Force was created as part of Governor Hochul's five-point subway safety plan. It will be utilized to improve coordination between law enforcement, transit personnel and district attorneys with the goal of coordinated information sharing to hold dangerous, repeat offenders accountable. The discussion included strategies for enhanced and early coordination across and within boroughs, strategies to stop recidivists, and tackling issues with evidence. To assist with this process, the MTA is in the process of hiring a new Criminal Justice Advocate to assist the victims of crime in the system, and MTAPD is developing a new early warning system to flag recidivist offenders for district attorney offices during booking processes.
Governor Hochul's five-point subway safety plan also included $20 million to fund SCOUT teams that provide care and social services to individuals on the subways struggling with mental illness, a surge of 1,000 public safety personnel to supplement NYPD's random bag check efforts, new legislation to allow judges to ban repeat offenders from the subway system, and expedited installation of security cameras in subways cars and conductors' cabins.
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