Surveillance cameras were not working in Brooklyn subway station where conductor was attacked: sources

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, Brooklyn (PIX11) --- The surveillance cameras in a Brooklyn subway station were not working when a conductor was brutally slashed in the neck last week, law enforcement sources said Monday.

The suspect allegedly attacked the conductor, Allen Scott, 59, when he stuck his head out of a cab window on the C train near the Rockaway Avenue station around 3:40 a.m. Thursday, according to the NYPD. The long-time transit worker needed 34 stitches to close the gaping neck wound, officials said.

Attacks on workers in subway stations increased by almost 60% last year, according to union officials.

“This is attempted murder. The wound on Mr. Scott's neck is too close to his carotid artery. We're at a breaking point where we can't do our jobs safely. The city is in crisis, and the target is on our backs," TWU Local 100 Union President Richard Davis said.

Scott was assaulted when he opened the doors and called for help over the public address system. Several riders, including a doctor, rushed to his aid, according to Demetrius Crichlow, a senior vice president at NYC Transit.

"If it wasn’t for the doctor, he’s not sure if he would’ve made it,” Crichlow said.

There are thousands of cameras that cover New York City's subway stations and above-ground trains to help police with investigations. All 472 stations have cameras and some have multiple angles of platforms, turnstiles, and mezzanine, according to NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper.

The MTA is working to get cameras on all trains by the end of this year.

The MTA could not immediately be reached Monday about the inoperable cameras.

The suspect was wearing a blue vest and fled the scene after the incident, police said. There have been no arrests.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).