NYC Subway Crime Dropped To Record Lows This Summer, NYPD Patrols Will Continue

NEW YORK CITY — Increased NYPD and National Guard patrols will continue in the city's subway system, Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Wednesday.

Hochul made the announcement at Grand Central station and mentioned that the subway system saw the safest summer on record. Crime in the subway system dropped 9 percent compared to last year.

"These [patrols] were supposed to be temporary, but New Yorkers I talk to say they feel safer when they see officers on board, so we are going to continue doing that for the months to come," Hochul told reporters.

The months of June, July and August saw 119 reported felony assaults — compared to 150 last year — a reduction of 21 percent. Fare evasion is down from 14 percent last year to 9 percent this year.

Overall transit crime was down 22.8 percent this August compared to 2024, and felony assaults were down 40.4 percent compared to last year. Robberies were down 34 percent in the subway system in August compared to 2024, officials said.

"The subway is safer today than before the pandemic, and we all know why: more cops, more security cameras, and more mental health outreach. These interventions and others — funded and supported by Governor Hochul — have us on track for a third straight year of declining crime," MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said.

Subway ridership is up 9 percent this year compared to 2024, officials said.