“The numbers being released are laughably inaccurate, and it’s common knowledge,” a source stated.
Crime and violence have escalated dramatically in New York City’s subway system, far exceeding the official figures reported by the agency, as per a source from the New York Police Department (NYPD).
This year saw a 45 percent increase in arrests within the subway, totaling over 3,000 in just the first two months, many of whom were repeat offenders. These figures come from the NYPD Transit Department. Yet, a law enforcement source confided to The Epoch Times that the public data barely touches on the true extent of crime in America’s largest transit system.
“The figures they’re sharing are utterly misleading, and that’s widely recognized,” the anonymous law enforcement source expressed, citing fears of backlash. “The level of disorder in the subway system, particularly at night, is so severe that it’s beyond comprehension unless you’ve experienced it firsthand.”
“It’s akin to the Wild West.”
Moreover, NYPD officers have reportedly been discouraged from reporting minor offenses to artificially keep crime statistics low. This directive appears to stem from higher-ups aiming to perpetuate the narrative that crime rates are stabilizing or declining. However, discrepancies exist even among city agencies regarding the actual crime rates in the subway system. Despite Transit’s report of a 13 percent increase in violent subway crimes this year, the Mayor’s office quickly contested these figures, asserting that crime actually decreased last month.
A significant portion of subway crimes goes unreported by victims, the source added.
“People are aware that the chances of those committing theft or assaults being caught are slim, so they question the point of filing a report.”
The New York Mayor’s Office had not responded to inquiries for comment at the time of publication.
The issue of commuter safety has recently gained national attention following several high-profile incidents in New York’s subway system. This includes a filmed shooting during a morning commute scuffle at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station in Brooklyn, where one individual was shot in the head.
In response to the rising crime rates, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered the deployment of 750 New York National Guard troops and 250 New York State Police troopers to conduct bag searches and bolster security in the subway. This is in addition to the 1,000 New York City police officers already patrolling subway lines and conducting security checks.
“Since taking office, my focus has been on reducing subway crime and ensuring the safety of New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul stated during a press conference on March 6. “I am committed to ensuring the safety and peace of mind of all New Yorkers every time they enter the subway.”
“No one should fear for their safety while going to work, visiting family, or attending a doctor’s appointment because of the potential threat from someone carrying a deadly weapon,” she further emphasized.
Morale among NYPD officers is reportedly at an all-time low, with crime rates and officer resignations on the rise, officials say.
From January 1 to March 31, 2023, there were 1,251 assaults on both on-duty and off-duty police officers citywide, a significant increase from the 949 incidents in the first quarter of 2022, according to NYPD crime statistics.
A total of 2,516 officers have resigned from the department in 2023, marking the fourth highest number in the past decade and a 43 percent increase from the 1,750 officers who resigned in 2018. Additionally, the number of officers leaving before reaching the 20-year mark for full pension eligibility has surged by 104 percent since 2020.
In January, the New York City Council passed the controversial “How Many Stops Act,” requiring police to document every public interaction, including the race, gender, and age of individuals involved. This legislation has further complicated officers’ duties.
The recent wave of resignations, on top of ongoing attrition, has severely impacted the NYPD’s capacity to maintain public safety, according to Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry.
“This situation is a disaster for all New Yorkers concerned about safe streets,” Mr. Hendry warned. “Our force is already stretched thin, and these reductions will take us back to the staffing levels of the crime waves in the ’80s and ’90s.”