Highlights: 750 members of the National Guard and 250 state police officers should be deployed in the New York subway in the coming days. This significant police presence officially comes in response to the insecurity which is plaguing the subway and reaching significant levels. In fact, according to official figures, crimes increased by 45% in January compared to the same period last year. To this, we must also add the situation of the homeless, which poses a real problem for the city authorities, who are a little overwhelmed. Some fear that this police presence could have the opposite effect.

In the United States, the National Guard is called to the rescue to deal with crime in the New York subway. It was New York State Governor Kathy Hochul who made this decision.…

United States: soldiers deployed in the New York subway to deal with crime

In the United States, the National Guard is called to the rescue to deal with crime in the New York subway.

It was the governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul, who made this decision.

The military should be added to a large number of police officers already deployed in transport.

Soldiers from the National Guard will support the police in the New York subway.

Here, NYPD officers, April 30, 2020. AP - John Minchillo

By: Loubna Anaki Follow

from our correspondent in New York,

A total of 750 members of the National Guard and 250 state police officers should be deployed in the New York subway in the coming days.

A mobilization which effectively adds to that of the police officers of the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Last month, Mayor

Eric Adams

also strengthened the presence of the NYPD by adding a thousand police officers.

Also read: United States: New Yorkers worried about insecurity on public transport

These figures may seem like a lot, but you have to keep in mind that New York has more than 8 million inhabitants.

Three million of them take the metro every day at 472 stations across the city.

This is a very large network to cover.

This significant police presence officially comes in response to the insecurity which is plaguing the New York subway and reaching significant levels.

The reality is a little more complicated.

In fact, according to official figures, crimes increased by 45% in January compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, very violent crimes are decreasing, there are even fewer than before the Covid-19 epidemic.

New safety laws

But as the

few shootings

and stabbings in particular were highly publicized and really shocked New Yorkers, this created a very significant feeling of insecurity among subway users.

To this, we must also add the situation of the homeless, which poses a real problem for the city authorities, who are a little overwhelmed.

For the authorities, the presence of so many police officers is above all a show of force.

Be clearly visible to deter any criminal act.

These agents are also responsible for searching passengers' bags for possible weapons.

You should know that in addition to this deployment, the governor announced a plan providing $20 million to install more cameras in drivers' cabins to ensure their protection.

I'm committed to ensuring all New Yorkers feel safe on our subways.

To do that, we will:

1️⃣ Increase public safety personnel

2️⃣ Introduce legislation to protect riders & workers

3️⃣ Add security cameras

4️⃣ Boost collaboration to hold offenders accountable

5️⃣ Expand SCOUT Teams

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) March 6, 2024

Kathy Hochul also proposes new laws.

One of them would prohibit access to the metro to people found guilty of assaulting a passenger.

But all these measures are far from unanimous.

Some fear that this police presence could have the opposite effect.

Instead of reassuring passengers, this could further increase the feeling that there is far too much crime.

Others fear that minorities will once again be the main targets of automatic searches and identity checks.

United States: soldiers deployed in the New York subway to deal with crime

United States: soldiers deployed in the New York subway to deal with crime

New safety laws

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