NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A new survey from the MTA says fear of crime is keeping people off the subway, but police say the perception doesn't match the reality.
The MTA surveyed 33,000 riders in March and found roughly 36% of those who used the subways before the pandemic were not willing to use the system now because of fear of violence.
"They could not have been more clear, they said we want the system to be safe from crime and harassment, and safe from COVID. They now know it's safe from COVID, we need to make sure it's safe from crime and harassment," Interim New York City Transit President Sarah Feinberg told WABC-TV.
She is calling on the mayor and NYPD to step up police patrols.
"All I'm asking is that we all pay attention to what this data is telling us and act on it and help the city come back," Feinberg said.
Calls for more officers intensified after several subway shovings and the NYPD did deploy hundreds more officers in February after two homeless people were killed during a stabbing spree on the A line.
Last month, Feinberg requested the NYPD put police on every platform, but the commissioner and the mayor have repeatedly denied that request.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week there's nothing to fear.
"I've talked to New Yorkers all over the city, they are focused on the city coming back, I do not believe New Yorkers live in fear, it's just not who are," de Blasio said.
The NYPD said subway crime is down this year about 62% compared to the same time last year, in line with ridership declines which are down 65% from pre-pandemic levels.
Riders at the 42nd Street subway station told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond that they do fear being the victim of a crime.
"Cause of the recent upticks in Asian crime, that's usually what the main concern is," said one rider from Queens who said he was verbally harassed by a homeless man on the subway last month.
"I am worried about it, but I have to ride the trains so I'm here and I'm cautious and I try to pay attention. That's all I can do," another rider from Queens said, adding that she'd like to see more officers in the system.
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