NEW YORK (PIX11) - Cameras will be installed in conductor cabins across New York City's subway system after a conductor was slashed in Brooklyn, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.
The decision follows a spate of high-profile subway crimes across the city in February. In the Bronx, two back-to-back shootings killed two people and the Brooklyn slashing.
Hochul in 2022 announced all subway cars would get surveillance cameras - the rollout of which will be sped up to address recent crimes, Hochul said.
It's part of a multi-pronged approach to subway safety announced by Hochul Wednesday, which will include bag checks in busy New York City subway stations, new legislation and expanded mental health outreach.
"We must first and foremost address the risk to our brave transit workers” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber.
Hochul will also introduce legislation to allow judges to ban people convicted of violent crimes on the subway from riding subways for at least three years, she said.
"Basically, if you assault someone on the subways, you won't be on the subways," Hochul said.
Similar legislation already exists but has only been used three times since 2020, she said.
"We’re going to get to the bottom of that, find out what’s missing," Hochul said.
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Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.