New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul has deployed the National Guard to New York City to help patrol the city’s subway system amid a sharp increase in crime.
Over 700 members of the National Guard will be sent to the city in an attempt to reduce the increase in robberies, assaults, and petty crimes.
New York Governor Calls on National Guard
Over the past year, New York City’s subway systems have experienced a surge in crime.
This has led the state’s governor, Hochul, to call in the services of the National Guard.
National Guard Enters NYC
Speaking at the beginning of March, Hochul, per Fox News, announced the National Guard would be sending around 750 members to help the city.
The NYPD and the National Guard will patrol stations and conduct bag searches to ensure that no weapons enter the subway system.
Hochul Speaks at a Press Conference
During a press conference, the New York Governor suggested news of the National Guard arriving in the city might help deter criminals.
“For people who are thinking about bringing a gun or knife on the subway, at least this creates a deterrent effect,” she said, per Fox News.
Criminals Deterred by New Safety Plans
Hochul then suggested that the presence of the National Guard at subway stations and bag checks should deter criminals from carrying weapons.
“You know what, it just may just not be worth it because I listened to the mayor, and I listened to the governor, and they have a lot more people who are going to be checking my bags,'”she said.
Crime in NYC Experiences Surge
Just before Hochul announced her plans to bring in the National Guard, Eric Adams revealed his plans to increase the amount of police as crime continued to increase.
According to The New York Post, crime in the city has shot up by over 20% since last year.
Increased Crime in NYC’s Subway Stations
Crime in the form of robberies, felony assaults, and grand larcenies have all experienced a surge in 2024.
Three homicides were also confirmed during the months of January and February.
Governor Worried for Residents of New York City
Hochul expressed her desire to ensure the safety of New York City residents as they commute around the city.
“No one heading to their job or to visit family or to go to a doctor appointment should worry that the person sitting next to them possesses a deadly weapon,” she said, per USA Today.
Hochul Aims to End Crime in Subway Stations
The addition of the National Guard and additional police officers patrolling the city’s subway stations is part of a larger plan to address the surge in crime.
The governor also introduced a legislative proposal that would see criminal offenders receive a three-year subway ban if convicted of assaulting a passenger, per USA Today.
Policymaking Through Overreactions
After announcing the subway safety plan, New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman slammed the governor’s new ideas.
Lieberman called the plan “another unfortunate example of policymaking through overreaction and overreach.”
Lieberman Disagrees with Hochul’s New Plan
In a statement, Lieberman claims that heavier policing of petty crimes doesn’t guarantee the disappearance of major crimes.
“Sound policy making will not come from overreacting to incidents that, while horrible and tragic, should not be misrepresented as a crime wave and certainly don’t call for a reversion to failed broken windows policies of the past,” she said.
NYC Citizens Given Peace of Mind
Many would argue that a greater police presence would help ensure the peace of mind of New York City citizens as they use the city’s subway services.
Already in February, crime has dropped by around 15% after over 1,000 officers were sent to patrol subways, further easing the stress on both the city and its inhabitants (per USA Today).
