NYC increases subway patrols

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- New York City leaders, transit officials and police have been watching and responding to the increasing crime statistics in the system.

The numbers for this January show a 46% increase in major crimes, including property theft, grand larceny and assault. There have also been three shootings.

NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper announced that 1,000 officers were added to the patrol rotation at the beginning of February.

"The cops are out here and highly visible at turnstiles, on mezzanines and on trains. It's paying dividends," Kemper said at Monday's monthly transit committee meeting at MTA Headquarters.

Kemper updated the board with statistics from the first three weeks of February.

The NYPD also made more arrests and found more guns on suspects within the system.

With the new surge of officers, he said crime has decreased 17% as compared to February 2023.

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said there's cooperation between the agencies and information sharing. Both leaders said the presence of cameras is being called key to solving cases and a deterrent.

All train cars are to have cameras by the end of the year.

Officials also said many suspects are repeat offenders and they've called the courts and elected leaders to do their parts.

Riders are also paying more attention and some are taking self-defense classes.

At a studio on West 100th Street on the Upper West Side, people study Krav Maga, which is an Israeli martial art.

Instructors said people have been coming to class since the COVID-19 pandemic due to experiences in transit.

There was a subway safety plan funded by the city and state in 2022.