Crackdown on homeless people in subways is in effect
MAYOR Eric Adams on Friday, Feb. 18 released the city’s “Subway Safety Plan,” which lays out how his administration will begin addressing public safety concerns and supporting people experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness on New York City’s subways.
The next 48 hours saw at least 6 people stabbed in the subway system, the latest incident happening on the 6 line near Canal Street in Chinatown.
Adams stood with NY Gov. Kathy Hochul in announcing their efforts to combat the rising transit crimes in the city. According to the Subway Safety Plan, there will be NYPD officers, clinicians, and community-based providers deployed to canvas the subways to help homeless New Yorkers and those suffering from mental illness.
“It is cruel and inhumane to allow unhoused people to live on the subway, and unfair to paying passengers and transit workers who deserve a clean, orderly, and safe environment,” said Mayor Adams. “The days of turning a blind eye to this growing problem are over, and I look forward to collaborating with the state, the federal government, TWU, advocates, and law enforcement to solve this challenge. It will take time, but our work starts now.”
The plan, the mayor and governor said, includes comprehensive investments in short- and medium-term solutions, including expanded outreach teams with New York Police Department officers and clinicians, additional housing and mental health resources, and outlines long-term systems improvements through changes to state and federal laws to connect more New Yorkers to the care they need.
A key component of the plan will also direct NYPD personnel to assist in enforcing certain subway rules, such as sleeping across multiple seats, exhibiting aggressive behavior to passengers, or creating an unsanitary environment.
“For too long our mental health care system suffered from disinvestment, and the pandemic has only made things harder for New Yorkers with serious mental illness who are experiencing homelessness,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
The police will also ramp up enforcement against spitting, lying down, aggressive behavior towards riders, smoking or open drug use, and littering on subways.
NYPD officers will also be requiring — instead of requesting — everyone to leave the train and the station at the end of the line.
“No more smoking, no more doing drugs, no more sleeping, no more doing barbecues on the subway system,” Adams said, addressing the press at the Fulton Street subway stop. “No more just doing whatever you want. No, those days are over … The system was not made to be housing, it’s made to be transportation.”
“I am proud to stand with Mayor Adams and share our efforts to boost mental health treatment services for those who lack stable housing, and bring more psychiatric beds online,” Hochul said. “We must work together to keep our subways — the lifeblood of New York City — safe for all riders, and to get help and services to those in need.” n
