Hochul Adds National Guard, State Police To Increase Subway Safety

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Commuters from the Hudson Valley traveling to New York City to work, shop or go to the theater will likely notice a difference while using the subway system.

On Wednesday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her plan to protect New Yorkers using public transportation.

Most obvious will be the deployment of 1,000 members of the New York State Police, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department and the New York National Guard to assist NYPD baggage checks at heavily trafficked areas and patrol subway platforms.

This includes 250 members of the NYSP and MTA.

Additionally, Hochul is directing the National Guard to make the 750 members currently deployed on Joint Task Force Empire Shield available to supplement this effort under the supervision of law enforcement.

Hochul said, since taking office, she’s been focused on driving down subway crime and protecting New Yorkers.

“My five-point plan will rid our subways of violent offenders and protect all commuters and transit workers,” she said. “I am sending a message to all New Yorkers: I will not stop working to keep you safe and restore your peace of mind whenever you walk through those turnstiles.”

The other parts of the five-point plan include a new bill allowing judges to ban people convicted of an assault within the system from using MTA services as part of their sentencing, initiating regular meetings between stakeholders to coordinate information about holding repeat offenders within the system accountable and accelerating the installation of cameras focused on conductor cabins to protect workers.

Also, the state will add $20 million to scale up addressing the most severe cases of mental health crises within the subway system.