Incidents of violence and reckless behavior have recently plagued the New York City subway system, sparking significant concerns over safety measures as the new year dawns.
On New Year's Day, Linda Rosa, 71, found herself fighting back against four teenage girls who attempted to steal her purse at the Hoyt Street station. Rosa, who was en route to church, recounted the harrowing incident to The New York Post. "Oh, no, this is not going to happen today," she said to herself as she resisted the attack.
Despite being punched in the face, leading to her glasses falling off, Rosa held on tightly to her belongings. The assailants managed to take her pocket pouch containing personal identification and medical records. Undeterred, Rosa bravely grappled with two of the perpetrators, pulling their hair until they fled the scene. Afterward, Rosa was escorted to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church, where she received assistance and called 911. She was later treated at The Brooklyn Hospital Center and expressed gratitude for not suffering more severe injuries. Despite the attack, she forgave her assailants, citing their actions as youthful foolishness.
The unsettling incident highlights a broader concern: safety on New York City's subway system. With increased ridership expected following the implementation of congestion pricing, calls for enhanced safety measures have intensified. Assembly Member Tony Simone is championing proposed legislation aimed at installing barriers across subway platforms within the next five years. "We need toensurethat the money goes to the priorities of New Yorkers and the biggest priority of New Yorkers, including mine is safety," he emphasized.
The discussion of safety takes on even greater urgency following tragic accidents linked to the dangerous trend of subway surfing. Just days after Rosa's encounter, two teenage girls were victims of this reckless behavior when they fell off the top of a moving train at the 111th Street station. Desperately filming for social media clout, the girls, aged approximately 13 or 14, faced dire consequences—the girl suspected to be older was declared dead on site, and the other sustained severe injuries requiring hospitalization.
The subway surfing incident is particularly alarming as it marks the sixth death this year alone, underscoring the rising trend of this dangerous activity. A week prior, another 13-year-old boy lost his life subway surfing at Forest Avenue station, and back in September 2023, 11-year-old Cayden Thompson was struck fatally by a low metal beam.
These tragedies have prompted local leaders to initiate public information campaigns to raise awareness among teens about the serious dangers of subway surfing. The New York Police Department's data suggests these incidents may be increasing; five subway surfing fatalities were recorded just last year.
Adding to the urgency for safety measures, another reported incident involved physical violence within the subway system. On December 20, at the York Street station, a verbal dispute escalated dramatically when one individual punched and then slashed another man across the face. Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he remained stable following treatment.
With such alarming incidents occurring more frequently, the call for improved safety on New York’s subway is more pressing than ever. Local officials and transit advocates recognize the urgent need to implement protective measures, such as platform barriers, to shield passengers from the dangers present within the system.
Rising crime rates, coupled with reckless behavior among youth, amplifies the necessity for meaningful action to safeguard commuters. Rosa’s brave confrontation is just one of many stories highlighting the fraught reality of using public transportation. Without decisive action from officials, it’s uncertain whether ridership will continue to flourish amid growing safety concerns.