NYC Subway Mayhem Mounts on Hochul's Watch as Election Nears

Days after a fatal stabbing and a shooting rattled New York City commuters, Governor Kathy Hochul found herself repeating remarks made four years prior about making subways safer. The governor's past promises echo as crime in the transit system remains a persistent concern, with the state's 2026 gubernatorial election approaching.

Recent incidents highlight the ongoing issues. On September 30, Mesias Lojano was allegedly fatally stabbed on a J train by Jyrell Thomas, who had reportedly been released by a judge under policies supported by Hochul. Weeks later, on October 17, Darrel Rodriguez was shot and killed on a Midtown subway platform, allegedly by 17-year-old Xavian Collins. Collins was reportedly smoking marijuana in the station, and an argument ensued when Rodriguez asked him to stop. Under current policies regarding juvenile offenders, the ability to track prior arrests for individuals like Collins is limited.

These events underscore a debate over criminal justice policies and their impact on public safety. Critics point to a perceived leniency in the justice system, suggesting that a return to "broken-windows" policing, which focused on addressing minor infractions to prevent more serious crimes, could have prevented these incidents. However, the city has shifted away from enforcing minor offenses such as public marijuana consumption.

Official data indicates a rise in subway violence. Through mid-October 2026, serious subway violence is up 6% compared to the same period in the previous year, with seven murders recorded, an increase from four in the prior year. This trend follows a pattern seen in 2022, when then-Governor Hochul and then-Mayor Eric Adams announced increased police presence and mental health support in the subways. Despite these measures, violent felonies in the subway system remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Since March 2020, the subway system has recorded 50 murders, a rate significantly higher than in the two decades prior to 2020. The year 2022 saw 10 subway murders, a modern record matched in 2024. With seven killings so far in 2026, the system is on track to potentially match or exceed that number.

In response to past concerns, Hochul, with Mayor Adams, had previously pushed for increased NYPD presence in the subways, funded by state resources. However, reports indicate that this state funding for additional subway police overtime has ceased this year, shifting the financial burden to the city. Furthermore, arrests made by law enforcement are reportedly often followed by the swift release of the accused.

An example cited is the case of an individual accused of fatally pushing an elderly man down subway stairs in May, who had been released from a hospital just hours prior to the incident.

Governor Hochul's public statements on subway safety have become less frequent, with a recent press conference focusing on childcare initiatives. When questioned about subway violence, she characterized the perceived danger as "scary in scale" rather than an accurate reflection of the reality. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has halted civilian fare-enforcement teams on city buses, and NYPD fare-evasion arrests on buses have drastically decreased.

Hochul appears to be banking on voter fatigue with the issue of subway crime, potentially prioritizing concerns such as inflation and affordability as the 2026 election approaches.