Hochul deploys 250 more National Guard troops to patrol NYC subway during holiday season
Photo credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA on Flickr
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced that an additional 250 National Guard troops will patrol the New York City subway system during the holiday season, bringing the total count to 1,000 troops following their initial deployment in March. News of additional troops comes even as subway crime is down 10 percent since March, according to the governor. There is currently no planned end date to withdraw the extra troops.
Hochul deployed 750 National Guard troops to the subways in March following a series of high-profile crimes, including the slashing of a transit worker. The troops have helped police officers perform random bag checks at the city’s busiest stations and patrol the system.
The deployment is part of the governor’s five-point plan to address safety issues on NYC transit, which includes installing security cameras on every subway car and expanding mental health outreach services.
“Earlier this year, I promised to make our subways safer for the millions of people who take the trains each day, and today we are continuing our efforts by putting more National Guard members on the ground and installing security cameras on every car,” Hochul said.
“By working hand-in-hand with the MTA and New York City, we are deterring crime, making it safer for all riders and restoring public confidence in the system.”
The addition of these troops marks the largest military presence in the city’s subway system since after 9/11, according to Gothamist.
Subway crime is down 42 percent since January 2021, while ridership has increased by 148 percent, according to a press release. The continued deployment is aimed at making riders feel safe while on the train, addressing a key concern among New Yorkers ahead of Hochul’s reelection bid in 2026, according to Politico.
“The presence of the National Guard has made not just a physical difference, but a psychological difference in how people feel about safety,” Hochul said at a Wednesday news conference.
However, some transit advocates question the necessity for a larger military presence in the subways, especially as the rate of transit crime continues to decline.
“To the extent that riders want an official presence, it’s to improve safety on platforms and trains, not at the turnstiles where guards are posted,” Danny Pearlstein, policy and communications director for public transit advocates Riders Alliance, told Gothamist.
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