Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA Chief Executive Officer Janno Lieber tour the MTA’s Corona Maintenance Facility in Queens and announce that security cameras will be installed in all subway cars (Photo courtesy of governor’s office)
Sept. 20, 2022 By Christian Murray
Gov. Kathy Hochul was in Corona Tuesday to announce that security cameras will be installed in all subway cars.
The governor said that the MTA will place two cameras on each of its more than 6,400 subway cars. The announcement follows the installation of 10,000 cameras across all 472 subway stations.
Hochul said the cameras will be added at a rate of 200 train cars per month, with the aim to have the entire fleet camera equipped sometime in 2025. The MTA has already installed cameras in 100 cars as part of a pilot program it started earlier this summer.
The governor said that the cameras would help the NYPD solve transit crimes, while also acting as a deterrent to would-be criminals. The MTA has received $5.5 million of state and federal funds to pay for the cameras.
“My number one priority as Governor is keeping New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said at a news conference this morning, which was held at the MTA’s Corona Maintenance Facility. “I am proud that we will be installing cameras on all subway cars – expanding our security capabilities, deterring crime, and providing our law enforcement with support. As we continue welcoming riders back to the transit system, we will continue doing everything in our power to keep riders safe.”
The announcement comes at a time when transit crime has been on the rise. According to the latest NYPD data, transit crimes are up 46 percent through Sept. 18, compared to the same period a year ago.
“Riders should know we’ve got their back for their entire journey and this significant upgrade – made possible by new dollars from Governor Hochul – is a great step towards reinforcing New Yorkers’ confidence in mass transit safety,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber.
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30 Comments
Why bother. The city will just let the people go. City is a mess and no one is doing anything to fix it. All she’s doing is spending money that the city does not have.
So many frightened and idealistic people posting comments here. Afraid of crime. Afraid of paying the price in taxes to prevent crime. Afraid, afraid, afraid. Can anyone possibly be this frightened? Are these propaganda posting idealist? Anyone this frightened would just move to a place they’re told is safe. Tune into right wing media and find your refuge.
Kathy the Grandstander Hochul. It will still be catch and release and the criminals will wave to themselves on camera. They know that LIBERALS have turned New York into the Wild West.
I can picture victims waving at the cameras to put an end to all the subways smoking taking place!! I cant stand the smell of weed and they better do something about. Like send out an alert and dont open the doors until the police show up to ticket the smokers!!!!!!!!!!!! I still wear my maks on the subways cuz the smoke and old urine smell stinks.
I don’t no why they are going to put cameras because people will break them I am for the cameras but we have alt of people that don’t care they broke into my car and stole my car cam last week cops dont care took them 3 hours to show us they didnt even take fingerprints or want to speak to neighbors who have outdoor cameras like they do on tv
Yea the Gov trying to do something to make it seem like she cares about POC who predominately use nyc public transportation. Where was she when we were getting robbed stabbed shot at and thrown onto tracks for doing nothing all these months. She just another annoying Karen.
Why are they now deciding to do this?? This shouldve been done a long time ago. Idk why they didnt just add cams to trains also when they added them to buses. Buses have had cameras for a long time now and trains dont which is dumb af. they better not use cameras by the turnstile though and show it t to the public..people are going to bug out and say its racists..Amen
This is a good start, I do however think getting ppl help mentality and emotional will also help.. Financial too. The struggle is real.
I think it’s a great idea especially to know who started what against the other. A lot of folks be lying about what actually happens when it comes to fighting and assaults on the streets and subways. They also need to put cameras in public areas. Like in NYCHA they should put bell cameras to all tenants and put cameras in hallways and on roofs. The police will be informed of any crime being committed by the security company since they aint doing much and people dont want them around. And us folks cant afford private security like the whites and Asian be doing in LIC. Nobody got money for that. That will resolve a lot of issues in Public housing too and make it fair.
Some great YouTube content to come with these cameras.
What’s the point in cameras? the face of the preparator will be splattered all over the news. he will get arrested and be immediately released and wont show up for his hearing and will walk around freely, committing more crime. All because of “soft on crime policies” written by democrats. anyone voting for a democratic this November needs their head examined.
Hope this also puts an end to all the subway nudity and sex taking place on subways at night especially in Astoria which is queer friendly.
Looking forward to the NYC subway channel???!!
I just read the first paragraph of Larry’s article. He is correct. It is amazing that there isn’t more crime on the trains. You never see a cop on the trains. Thanks criminals for not committing more crime!
What a waste of money. Everyone has a phone. There are hundreds of posts on social media showing the fighting, abuse and crime taking place on NYC subways daily. I guess the MTA wants to make some money off the views it will get by posting crime instead of riders.
They need to put that money into social programs and helping blk and brn people.
I haven’t been on the city train’s going on 4 years. I drive everywhere now.
Saw the press conference. Couldn’t help but notice Hochul said you will be caught.. she neglected to say you will be charged & convicted.
What is the purpose of cameras if you’re soft on crime? Sure lets give the world more footage to laugh at us.
it’s so easy to slip away in NYC, especially wearing a hoodie/mask, need more uniformed/plain clothes cops on high crime areas trains at least
This won’t deter criminals when they know that even if caught, they’ll be released without bail an hour later.
They know that lib politicians have their back.
John – And don’t forget those good conservative politicians who will guarantee 1.1 million more born a year with their abortion bans and access to guns.
John – Facts statistics and history all say you’re incorrect. Security cameras are time proven deterrent to crime.
Vote Hochul out! corrupt just like her old boss. who voted for her? no one. allowing this degeneration of office is our down fall.
But the Mayor has been saying that the subways are safe as are the streets of NYC.
And who will monitor this footage? It should all be streamed online so we can monitor our loved ones.
What about subway entrances and platform? Will they install cameras there also? Its a good idea because all cops do is use pics and videos to capture criminals. So many go viral just like the McD’s hatchet attack last week. https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2022/09/18/mcdonalds-ax-attack-suspect-michael-palacios-freed-without-bail/amp/
““My number one priority as Governor is keeping New Yorkers safe.”
If this were even remotely true the ‘catch and release’ program [AKA ‘bail reform’] would have been reversed at least three years ago. Ill-conceived virtue signaling-based decision that has largely been responsible for the massive spikes in major and so-called minor crimes. Zero good has come out of this.
Good move. The sooner the better.
Also needed is a return to a time decades ago when a transit police officer was assigned to ride each train and others patrolled stations. Are security cameras being installed on the 535 subway cars (from the previous $32 billion 2015- 2019) and 1900 subway cars (from the current $51 billion 2020 – 2024 Capital Plan) under contracts previously awarded to subway car builders currently being built or will they have to be installed after delivery? Will the MTA make public a detailed schedule for advertising and award of contracts to vendors for purchase of cameras? When will the MTA release a detailed project schedule? This would identify the quantities and location for installation week by week, month by month and year by year? Is any of this work being performed by NYC Transit employees versus outside contractors? Making public this information is one way commuters and taxpayers can monitor the progress to see if the MTA will meet the promised completion date of 2025 for installation of cameras on all subway cars along with 130 subway stations. .
(Larry Penner — transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously worked for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office. This included the development, review, approval and oversight for billions in capital projects and programs for the MTA, NYC Transit, Metro North Rail Road, MTA Bus along with 30 other transit agencies in NY & NJ)
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