Surveillance Cameras Installed In Every NYC Subway Car, Hochul Praises Progress

Every subway car in New York City is now equipped with surveillance cameras, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced. She called the initiative a key step in addressing rising violence on public transit and assisting law enforcement in crime investigations.

Hochul linked the increase in violent subway crimes to untreated mental health issues, blaming decades of reduced funding for mental health services and supportive housing. She emphasized the need for legislative reforms to address the root causes of violence on public transit.

The governor has also taken other steps to improve transit safety, including the deployment of an additional 250 National Guard members in December. This brings the total number of troops patrolling subway stations and trains to 1,000, an effort Hochul described as necessary to restore safety.

Recent incidents on the subway system, such as a woman being burned alive and a case involving Daniel Penny, have drawn national attention to the city’s public safety challenges. Hochul highlighted these events to underscore the urgency of her initiatives.

To tackle mental health issues more effectively, Hochul plans to introduce state legislation that broadens the criteria for involuntary commitment. She noted that current laws limit hospital intervention to individuals showing a clear risk of harm, leaving others without care.

Hochul ordered the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to implement the surveillance project, stating it would enhance security and help law enforcement respond more efficiently to violent incidents.

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