Major crimes on New York City subways and buses have seen a significant increase in the majority of NYPD patrol boroughs this year, even as the overall citywide transit crime total has slightly decreased. This trend has stoked new fears among straphangers.
The Bronx North Patrol Borough, which covers areas like Woodlawn and Fordham, reported a 32% surge in major transit crimes. Manhattan North Patrol Borough, including parts of the Upper West Side and Harlem, saw a 25% increase. Other affected areas include Bronx South with a 17% rise and Brooklyn South with a 16% increase. Queens South Patrol Borough experienced a 3% rise.
These increases occurred even as major index crimes saw decreases of 12% and 8% in southern Manhattan and northern Brooklyn, respectively, contributing to a citywide decline. Overall, major index crimes citywide are down approximately 0.74% year-to-date, from 1,093 to 1,085.
However, specific categories within transit crime show upticks. Felonious assaults are up 4% citywide in the transit system, and robberies have increased by 10%. The five patrol precincts experiencing subway crime increases have collectively seen a 21% jump in transit crime, with numbers rising from 351 to 428.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch acknowledged the rise in robberies and assaults, while also highlighting an increase in gun recoveries and arrests. She noted a 5% increase in subway ridership compared to the previous year. "We do not ignore increases – even when the overall trend is moving in the right direction," Tisch stated. She identified young offenders, some as young as 12 or 13, as drivers of the increase in robberies.
Arrests for transit robberies are up 10%, and for felony assaults, up 9% so far this year. Law enforcement has recovered 39 guns within the transit system, the highest first-half year total on record. "We are also watching the categories where we have seen increases in transit: murders in transit are up by 2 year-to-date," Tisch added.
Riders have expressed awareness of the dangers. Nichole Steiner, a resident who moved to the city from Fort Myers, Florida, stated, "I try not to travel alone at night." She also reported witnessing drug use on the subway and expressed a need for more undercover officers.
Recent incidents have underscored these concerns. On June 16, a 24-year-old man was slashed in the face from behind while waiting for a No. 4 train at the Fordham Road subway station in the Bronx. The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, received stitches and noted he would have a scar. Police released surveillance photos of a suspect wanted for this assault.
Another incident involved a robbery on a No. 5 train at the 138th Street-Grand Concourse subway station in the Bronx on June 29, where a 32-year-old man had his wallet stolen. Police released images of a suspect captured on surveillance video.
Andrew Hughes, a 21-year-old New Jersey resident, described riding the subway as "rolling the dice" and advised commuters to be alert and consider carrying legal forms of protection. Melissa De La Rosa, a Brooklyn resident, while appreciating the visible police presence, expressed concern about potential worsening conditions, especially during hotter weather and later hours.