Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, revealed on Wednesday that an additional 250 National Guard personnel will be stationed in the New York City subway system. This new deployment builds on the 750 members already assigned earlier this year in March.
As part of the initial effort to address subway crime, 250 officers from the New York State Police and the MTA Police were also introduced into the transit system. Their goal was to increase the visible presence of uniformed personnel and collaborate with the National Guard on random bag checks. These actions are part of the longstanding “Empire Shield” initiative, a taskforce launched in 2001 to bolster security in the subway system, protect New York City infrastructure, and enhance street safety as a counterterrorism strategy.
Hochul described the impact of the initial wave of enforcement as transformative, noting a significant improvement in subway safety. “The late winter rush of authorities into the subway ‘made an extraordinary difference,’” she said. According to the governor, subway crime has dropped by 10% since March, with overall crime rates in the system reaching historic lows. She highlighted that only two years since 1970 have seen fewer subway crimes than in 2024.
When questioned about her decision to deploy more National Guard members—who lack the authority to make arrests—rather than relying exclusively on state or MTA police officers, Hochul emphasized her confidence in the Guard’s role. “I am very proud to be governor of a state where I have at my disposal the National Guard to use in places where I think they’re most beneficial to protect the people of this state,” she said.
Hochul pointed out that the March deployment had achieved its objectives, reducing crime and enhancing public confidence in the system’s safety. “The presence of [the] National Guard has made not just a physical difference, but a psychological difference in how they feel about safety,” she stated.
During the press conference, officials linked the decline in crime to a surge in subway ridership, highlighting a notable milestone last Thursday, when the system recorded 4.5 million riders—the highest single-day total since the pandemic began.
Lieber expressed gratitude to Hochul for her support and collaboration with the MTA. He highlighted other safety measures implemented under her leadership, such as the expansion of the subway’s camera network. “Not only do we have 15,000 cameras in stations, but now, thanks to Governor Hochul, we have a camera in every single subway car, and the caliber of the video is extraordinary,” Lieber said.
The MTA Chair added that riders across all demographics, neighborhoods, and income levels consistently express a desire for more police and uniformed staff in the subway system to feel secure. Referring to the increase in ridership since the deployment of Empire Shield personnel, Lieber remarked: “That’s proof that the vibe that has been created about the subway being safer is making a difference in riders’ minds, so let’s celebrate that.”
{Matzav.com}
I agree with our hard working Governor. All violent crime committed by homeless blacks and minorities in our subway system are only a perception.