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| How Safe Is the Subway? What Those Who Work There Have to Say. | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Few New Yorkers have Nicolet Seymour’s platform-level understanding of the city’s subways. | Few New Yorkers have Nicolet Seymour’s platform-level understanding of the city’s subways. |
| During her overnight shift cleaning the station at Eighth Avenue and 34th Street, she has gathered up needles and worked around people who refuse to move, or can’t. She has been cursed at and verbally abused. But she’s never been attacked. | During her overnight shift cleaning the station at Eighth Avenue and 34th Street, she has gathered up needles and worked around people who refuse to move, or can’t. She has been cursed at and verbally abused. But she’s never been attacked. |
| “I know the Holy Spirit is with me, protecting me,” she said, though she hedges her bets by staying near the token booths, exits or employee break rooms, and within the sight of the platform cameras. In recent weeks, she has felt safer with more police officers around. | “I know the Holy Spirit is with me, protecting me,” she said, though she hedges her bets by staying near the token booths, exits or employee break rooms, and within the sight of the platform cameras. In recent weeks, she has felt safer with more police officers around. |
| A string of shoves, stabbings and shootings on the trains have grabbed public attention, and with only a few days to go before the midterm election, safety on the state-run subway has emerged as a key issue in the unexpectedly tight race for governor. | A string of shoves, stabbings and shootings on the trains have grabbed public attention, and with only a few days to go before the midterm election, safety on the state-run subway has emerged as a key issue in the unexpectedly tight race for governor. |
| While the chance of falling victim to violent crime on the subway remains low, according to a Times analysis, the topic provides fodder for television advertisements and campaign debates. | While the chance of falling victim to violent crime on the subway remains low, according to a Times analysis, the topic provides fodder for television advertisements and campaign debates. |
| The people who spend the most time in and around the system — M.T.A. workers, vendors, shopkeepers, buskers — may be uniquely qualified to assess the subway’s problems and promise. In interviews over the past week, more than two dozen spoke to The New York Times, offering a nuanced portrait of a system that is both a bellwether and an engine for the city. | The people who spend the most time in and around the system — M.T.A. workers, vendors, shopkeepers, buskers — may be uniquely qualified to assess the subway’s problems and promise. In interviews over the past week, more than two dozen spoke to The New York Times, offering a nuanced portrait of a system that is both a bellwether and an engine for the city. |
| They described a system with fewer riders, but more volatile ones. They spoke of an increase in crime, but a system that transports the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers who ride each day without incident. Data bears them out. | They described a system with fewer riders, but more volatile ones. They spoke of an increase in crime, but a system that transports the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers who ride each day without incident. Data bears them out. |
| A New York Times analysis of M.T.A. and police statistics shows that the possibility of falling victim to violent crime in the subway remains remote, even as the rate of violent crimes — murder, rape, felony assault and robbery — per subway ride has more than doubled since 2019, before the pandemic’s disruption. | A New York Times analysis of M.T.A. and police statistics shows that the possibility of falling victim to violent crime in the subway remains remote, even as the rate of violent crimes — murder, rape, felony assault and robbery — per subway ride has more than doubled since 2019, before the pandemic’s disruption. |
| Put into perspective, the current rate of 1.2 violent crimes for every one million rides is roughly equal to the chance of getting injured in a crash if one drives a car two miles. | Put into perspective, the current rate of 1.2 violent crimes for every one million rides is roughly equal to the chance of getting injured in a crash if one drives a car two miles. |
| But ridership remains far below prepandemic levels, exacerbating the system’s financial problems — and heightening fears on sparsely populated trains and platforms. | But ridership remains far below prepandemic levels, exacerbating the system’s financial problems — and heightening fears on sparsely populated trains and platforms. |
| In October, the number of rides on any given weekday was around 3.5 million, about two million fewer than before the pandemic. But Manhattan’s Union Square station, where eight lines converge in one dim space, is nearly always crowded. Amari Singleton said he’s never felt unsafe while gathering donations for charities, nor has he witnessed violence. But he’s noticed a shift in attitude. | In October, the number of rides on any given weekday was around 3.5 million, about two million fewer than before the pandemic. But Manhattan’s Union Square station, where eight lines converge in one dim space, is nearly always crowded. Amari Singleton said he’s never felt unsafe while gathering donations for charities, nor has he witnessed violence. But he’s noticed a shift in attitude. |
| “As far as safety, I haven’t noticed any changes,” said Mr. Singleton, 22. “But as far as people being more protective of their space — that’s definitely changed.” | “As far as safety, I haven’t noticed any changes,” said Mr. Singleton, 22. “But as far as people being more protective of their space — that’s definitely changed.” |
| “A lot of people spent six months in the house, and I don’t think, socially, things will ever be the same,” he said. | “A lot of people spent six months in the house, and I don’t think, socially, things will ever be the same,” he said. |
| Violent crimes on the subway this year are only about 2.6 percent of New York City’s total, but the randomness of many attacks has left riders fearful. There have been nine homicides this year, compared with an average of fewer than two in the years leading up to the pandemic. | Violent crimes on the subway this year are only about 2.6 percent of New York City’s total, but the randomness of many attacks has left riders fearful. There have been nine homicides this year, compared with an average of fewer than two in the years leading up to the pandemic. |
| This year’s first took place in the Bronx just hours into 2022, when Roland Hueston, who had been trying to save a man thrown onto the tracks amid a fracas, was struck himself. The second came two weeks later in the system’s busiest station: Times Square. Michelle Go, who worked in finance, was shoved in front of an R train. The authorities said her attacker, a homeless man, had a history of crime and mental illness. | This year’s first took place in the Bronx just hours into 2022, when Roland Hueston, who had been trying to save a man thrown onto the tracks amid a fracas, was struck himself. The second came two weeks later in the system’s busiest station: Times Square. Michelle Go, who worked in finance, was shoved in front of an R train. The authorities said her attacker, a homeless man, had a history of crime and mental illness. |
| Other high-profile attacks included a mass shooting on the N train during the morning rush in April — miraculously, no one was killed — and the fatal shooting of a Goldman Sachs employee, Daniel Enriquez, on the Q train in May. | Other high-profile attacks included a mass shooting on the N train during the morning rush in April — miraculously, no one was killed — and the fatal shooting of a Goldman Sachs employee, Daniel Enriquez, on the Q train in May. |
| In response — and under pressure from the Republican candidate for governor, Representative Lee Zeldin — Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced on Oct. 22 that the state would help pay for an additional 1,200 overtime shifts per day for police officers to patrol the system. Mr. Adams said at the time that nearly half the homicides in the system this year were believed to have been committed by people with a history of mental health problems. Ms. Hochul said the state would set up two new units at psychiatric centers to deal with people with serious mental illnesses. | In response — and under pressure from the Republican candidate for governor, Representative Lee Zeldin — Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams announced on Oct. 22 that the state would help pay for an additional 1,200 overtime shifts per day for police officers to patrol the system. Mr. Adams said at the time that nearly half the homicides in the system this year were believed to have been committed by people with a history of mental health problems. Ms. Hochul said the state would set up two new units at psychiatric centers to deal with people with serious mental illnesses. |
| John Pfaff, a professor at Fordham Law School who specializes in criminal law and statistics, said that politicians are transfixed by raw numbers that belie the fact that there is a minimally significant increase in danger. | John Pfaff, a professor at Fordham Law School who specializes in criminal law and statistics, said that politicians are transfixed by raw numbers that belie the fact that there is a minimally significant increase in danger. |
| “Because this is New York City, something bad will happen every day somewhere,” said Mr. Pfaff. “You can choose to center that bad thing or put it in a broader perspective, and our politicians generally seem to favor centering the bad thing.” | “Because this is New York City, something bad will happen every day somewhere,” said Mr. Pfaff. “You can choose to center that bad thing or put it in a broader perspective, and our politicians generally seem to favor centering the bad thing.” |
| In Brooklyn, at the Prospect Park B-Q-S stop, M.D. Khan, 46, dismissed the governor’s announcement. | In Brooklyn, at the Prospect Park B-Q-S stop, M.D. Khan, 46, dismissed the governor’s announcement. |
| “This time, a lot of police here — the midterm election. That’s why I think they show off, you know, ‘We are doing something,’” said Mr. Khan, who joined the M.T.A. three months ago as a traffic checker collecting ridership information. | “This time, a lot of police here — the midterm election. That’s why I think they show off, you know, ‘We are doing something,’” said Mr. Khan, who joined the M.T.A. three months ago as a traffic checker collecting ridership information. |
| Larry Wright, 20, whose bucket drums provided a steady staccato above the rumble of passing 6 trains at Union Square, also expressed reservations about an increased police presence, saying he worried that it could lead to more profiling. | Larry Wright, 20, whose bucket drums provided a steady staccato above the rumble of passing 6 trains at Union Square, also expressed reservations about an increased police presence, saying he worried that it could lead to more profiling. |
| “You’ve got to have experienced officers,” he said. “There’s a lot of rookie cops nowadays and nine times out of 10, they’re just rude.” | “You’ve got to have experienced officers,” he said. “There’s a lot of rookie cops nowadays and nine times out of 10, they’re just rude.” |
| The Roosevelt Avenue station in Jackson Heights, Queens, last month was the site of the system’s ninth homicide, when prosecutors say a man shoved Heriberto Quintana, 48, onto the tracks after a quarrel. Most offenses there are more mundane, but their regularity is disheartening. | The Roosevelt Avenue station in Jackson Heights, Queens, last month was the site of the system’s ninth homicide, when prosecutors say a man shoved Heriberto Quintana, 48, onto the tracks after a quarrel. Most offenses there are more mundane, but their regularity is disheartening. |
| Cecilia Wijaya, 42, has lost count of how many times she has been spat on at the convenience store inside the station that she and her husband have owned for 16 years. They shut down for three months in 2020 and barely saw any customers when they reopened. They suffered an armed robbery that year, losing $18,000 worth of goods. Thefts have continued and the police response has been slow, she said. | Cecilia Wijaya, 42, has lost count of how many times she has been spat on at the convenience store inside the station that she and her husband have owned for 16 years. They shut down for three months in 2020 and barely saw any customers when they reopened. They suffered an armed robbery that year, losing $18,000 worth of goods. Thefts have continued and the police response has been slow, she said. |
| In Washington Heights, Doshary Abreu, 28, has worked her whole life at a convenience store that her parents own in the 181st Street station, and sees people shooting up in the open and harassing commuters. Residents “should feel safe in their own neighborhood, in their own station,” she said. | In Washington Heights, Doshary Abreu, 28, has worked her whole life at a convenience store that her parents own in the 181st Street station, and sees people shooting up in the open and harassing commuters. Residents “should feel safe in their own neighborhood, in their own station,” she said. |
| But Laila McCauley, 46, an agent at the station, said she hoped that the stronger police presence would alleviate the unease she says she has sometimes felt from people using the system as a refuge. | But Laila McCauley, 46, an agent at the station, said she hoped that the stronger police presence would alleviate the unease she says she has sometimes felt from people using the system as a refuge. |
| “When they push them out of the hospitals, when they pull these services, when they put them out of the shelters — this is their home, this is where they come,” she said. “They’re not getting the help that they need, they’re not getting the services that they need, and they’re angry. And guess who that anger comes down on: transit workers and customers.” | “When they push them out of the hospitals, when they pull these services, when they put them out of the shelters — this is their home, this is where they come,” she said. “They’re not getting the help that they need, they’re not getting the services that they need, and they’re angry. And guess who that anger comes down on: transit workers and customers.” |
| In 2022, there have been 52 assaults on subway workers — and more than 280 cases where workers were threatened, spit on or otherwise harassed, according to M.T.A. data. | In 2022, there have been 52 assaults on subway workers — and more than 280 cases where workers were threatened, spit on or otherwise harassed, according to M.T.A. data. |
| Nilda Lont, 54, of Highbridge, Bronx, who has been with the M.T.A. for 22 years and works as a safety representative for the Transport Workers Union Local 100, said that the system became “lawless” at the height of the pandemic. But she also believes the core issue is mental health, which cannot be addressed solely by more police officers. | Nilda Lont, 54, of Highbridge, Bronx, who has been with the M.T.A. for 22 years and works as a safety representative for the Transport Workers Union Local 100, said that the system became “lawless” at the height of the pandemic. But she also believes the core issue is mental health, which cannot be addressed solely by more police officers. |
| Tony Utano, president of the union, said in statement that the governor and mayor “are squaring up to this crisis,” citing the increase in police officers and social workers, the new psychiatric units and the expansion of Kendra’s Law this year. That measure — named for Kendra Webdale, who was shoved to her death in front of a train in 1999 — allows judges to mandate psychiatric treatment for people deemed a danger. | Tony Utano, president of the union, said in statement that the governor and mayor “are squaring up to this crisis,” citing the increase in police officers and social workers, the new psychiatric units and the expansion of Kendra’s Law this year. That measure — named for Kendra Webdale, who was shoved to her death in front of a train in 1999 — allows judges to mandate psychiatric treatment for people deemed a danger. |
| Jairo Cardenas, 64, who has operated a shoe repair shop in Times Square for 32 years, has noticed an increased police presence lately, which he welcomed. | Jairo Cardenas, 64, who has operated a shoe repair shop in Times Square for 32 years, has noticed an increased police presence lately, which he welcomed. |
| But with ridership still below normal levels, business is less than half what it was before the pandemic. There were once a dozen shops alongside his, but now there is just a single variety store. | But with ridership still below normal levels, business is less than half what it was before the pandemic. There were once a dozen shops alongside his, but now there is just a single variety store. |
| John DeCarlo, who teaches criminal justice at the University of New Haven, stressed that the ramifications of subway crime go far beyond the incidents themselves, endangering the system that enables movement and commerce in the nation’s most populous city. | John DeCarlo, who teaches criminal justice at the University of New Haven, stressed that the ramifications of subway crime go far beyond the incidents themselves, endangering the system that enables movement and commerce in the nation’s most populous city. |
| “Fear of crime is debilitating,” he said. “Fear of crime almost put the city out of business in the ’80s.” | “Fear of crime is debilitating,” he said. “Fear of crime almost put the city out of business in the ’80s.” |
| At the Lexington Avenue/59th Street station last week, a handful of M.T.A. workers in a break room lined with gray lockers said news about crime depresses ridership, but that an increase is inexorable. | At the Lexington Avenue/59th Street station last week, a handful of M.T.A. workers in a break room lined with gray lockers said news about crime depresses ridership, but that an increase is inexorable. |
| “People are back to work, people are moving,” said Carl Havens, 52, a cleaner. “In due time, things will change in a more positive direction. We just got to give it a little more time.” | “People are back to work, people are moving,” said Carl Havens, 52, a cleaner. “In due time, things will change in a more positive direction. We just got to give it a little more time.” |
| As for Ms. Seymour, who is approaching three years in her station cleaning job, she has an investment in a functioning and safe system: her 8-month-old daughter, Cassandra, who wore a pink outfit with a matching cap as her mother spoke in the break room hours before her shift. | As for Ms. Seymour, who is approaching three years in her station cleaning job, she has an investment in a functioning and safe system: her 8-month-old daughter, Cassandra, who wore a pink outfit with a matching cap as her mother spoke in the break room hours before her shift. |
| “I just make sure I come home in one piece to her,” Ms. Seymour said. | “I just make sure I come home in one piece to her,” Ms. Seymour said. |
| Samira Asma-Sadeque, Diane Bezucha, Thalia Juarez, Ana Ley and Kate Masters contributed reporting. | Samira Asma-Sadeque, Diane Bezucha, Thalia Juarez, Ana Ley and Kate Masters contributed reporting. |