Wondering why you’re suddenly seeing the National Guard on your daily commute? It’s all part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s five-point plan to improve subway safety, following recent high-profile crimes.
She has deployed 750 National Guard members of the Joint Task Force Empire Shield to aid 250 New York State and MTA Police officers in protecting the subway stations. Their main purpose: mandatory bag checks.
In total, 1,000 members of State personnel will be monitoring heavily trafficked stations to ensure no riders are carrying weapons on them.
“The service members of the New York National Guard are always ready to assist our partners as they ensure the safety and security of our fellow citizens,” said Adjutant General of the New York National Guard Major General Ray Shields.
The rest of the five-point plan includes a new bill to prohibit convicted assailants from riding the subway, expediting camera installation across the system, improve collaboration between State, NYPD, and District Attorneys and increasing Subway Co-Response Outreach (SCOUT) teams.
“I know that a focus on reducing the fear of crime is as important as reducing crime itself.” said MTAPD Chief of Operations Thomas Taffe. “We now have officers at commuter hubs in all five boroughs, officers working overnight clearing trains, working with homeless outreach partners across different agencies in all corners of the city. We’re focused on using data to respond to the issues that most affect riders – feelings of disorder, fare evasion, and persons acting violently in emotional distress.”