As the new school year approaches, public safety issues in New York City have once again become the focus of concern for residents, especially safety concerns on the subway. Despite data showing a decrease of over 5% in subway crime rates compared to last year, attacks within the subway system still occur from time to time, sparking public worries.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasized in an interview with Fox News on August 30th that among major cities in the United States, New York, with a population of 8.3 million, is one of the safest cities. He stated, “The robbery cases in our subway system are at a record low, with double-digit decreases in homicides and shootings.”
While the overall crime rate in the city has decreased, certain areas still remain hotspots for crime. Recently, there has been a 41% surge in crime rates in Central Park; the New York City Police Department has also released surveillance footage of three suspects wanted for robbery in Central Park. Investigators believe this may be related to the recent increase in immigrant-related crimes.
In response, Mayor Adams stated that the city government will continue to strengthen law enforcement efforts to combat crime, while also urging other branches of the criminal justice system to fulfill their duties, especially towards repeat offenders and individuals with serious mental health issues who may need mandatory treatment or transfer.
Regarding homeless individuals with mental illnesses on the streets, he indicated that state-level legislation is needed to grant permission to city-level units for legal transfers to relevant institutions in involuntary situations; however, currently, New York City can still carry out clearance operations for individuals unwilling to relocate when necessary.
Mayor Adams commended the response of the city’s police force, mentioning that the department has handled nearly 3,000 protest incidents this year and conducted 7,600 arrests of 342 suspects involved in crimes like shoplifting and others. He also reminded the criminal justice agencies to fulfill their responsibilities in addressing these crimes.
Despite the continuous decrease in subway crime rates in the first half of the year, attacks occurring within the subway system remain a frequent issue. Last Wednesday, a passenger was stabbed at the 191st Street station on the 1 train in Washington Heights, with the assailant still at large, causing concerns among parents and students.
Speaking to PIX11, Adams stated that crime rates in New York have been declining for seven consecutive months, with the New York subway serving 4.1 million passengers daily and averaging only 5 serious crimes per day. He also emphasized that public safety is not just about crime statistics but also about the sense of security felt by the residents.