NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Subway crime hit historic lows this summer, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday, prompting the state to continue safety investments like the overnight deployment of NYPD officers to subway trains and mental health outreach in the system.
“We’re going to continue the overnight patrols that were actually intended last January as a very temporary measure,” Hochul said at a press conference at One Vanderbilt subway entrance. “I know New Yorkers tell me they feel safer when they see officers on board, so we’re going to continue doing that for the months to come.”
Overall transit crime from June 1 to August 31 dipped nearly 10% from 2024, and 16.8% compared to summer 2019, officials said.
July and August 2025 were especially safe, becoming the safest July and August in recorded history, according to NYPD statistics. Overall transit crime was down 22.8% in August compared to 2024, with felony assaults dropping 40.4% and robberies 34%.
The governor said that the state will continue drawing on the $77 million that was already allocated to subway safety, with $45 million going to the National Guard’s Empire Shield mission.
In combination with an increase in law enforcement, there has also been progress in responding to people suffering mental health challenges in the subways, with the governor’s office reporting 750 referrals out of the transit system by its Subway Co-Response Outreach Team, which pairs clinicians with MTA police officers.
“Recent polls do show that [riders are] feeling safer and they’re also feeling safer about the system—another sign of confidence, ridership is way up this summer,” MTA CEO and Chair Janno Lieber said at the conference, citing the MTA’s 9% jump in ridership over the summer months.
Hochul said that MTA leadership will continue with long-term upgrades, including brighter stations, stronger barriers and fare gates.