NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – Starting Monday, two police officers will ride every overnight train in New York City, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday.
The increased police presence will start at 9 p.m. and last through 5 a.m. every day for the next six months, Hochul said. The state will pay for officers’ overtime to accommodate the staffing, Hochul said.
“We have trends that show more [crimes] are likely to occur on the overnight hours, and that’s when we have to protect, really, the unsung heroes of our city. When others are going home, these are the people coming in,” Hochul said, noting construction workers, doctors and nurses. “They have every right to be safe.”
Hochul originally announced the new overnight plan in her State of the State address on Tuesday.
The subways have already seen increases in police patrols in recent months. In March, Hochul announced the National Guard would patrol the New York City Subway system, and in December, added 250 more National Guard members.
Earlier this month the city announced police officers would be deployed to the 50 subway stations where most crimes occur, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced.
Advocates criticized Hochul’s proposal to flood more law enforcement into the subway system and, in particular, her support of involuntary commitment.
“Governor Hochul should close gaps in mental health services, especially by increasing community-based mental health services with wrap-around care programs,” said Loyda Colon with Communities United for Police Reform. “New York needs community-based care and real social services, not criminalization of mental illness and poverty.”
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
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