NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A new MTA initiative directing conductors to announce when police officers are aboard trains or platforms to help riders feel safer on the subway was launched this month.
The new plan is the latest effort by transit officials to help riders feel more at ease amid the recent increase in subway crimes.
“A New York City police officer is on board and will be patrolling this train,” conductors will be announcing on the train’s loudspeakers as uniformed officers board the subway car.
The announcement will be repeated along the route as the officer remains onboard.
“I want to be aware that I'm going to be safe,” one straphanger told 1010 WINS.
The announcement will also include alerting riders when the train arrives at a subway platform where uniformed officers are patrolling as well as when they may arrive at one of the 11 stations where NYPD Transit bureau precincts are.
“If you have questions or need to report an issue to the police, the NYPD is located at this station,” one version of the announcement will say.
Subway ridership numbers are still low, down more than 35% from pre-pandemic levels.
“This initiative is part of an ongoing, aggressive effort from Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to make sure riders both are and feel safe,” New York City Transit President Richard Davey said in a statement. “Since not every person on a 10-car train can see an entire platform or inside every subway car, this initiative directs conductors to let riders know when police officers are present in a station so they know they’re there to help and that any issues or concerns can be reported in a timely manner. We will continue working closely with law enforcement to enhance safety throughout the system.”
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