New York Governor Kathy Hochul has prohibited the use of long guns by National Guardsmen who were deployed to conduct bag checks at subway stations in the Big Apple. Despite facing criticism, she remains steadfast in defending this controversial decision.
According to a spokesperson, Hochul implemented the prohibition on military-grade rifles right after 750 troops were deployed to the subway system.
Last week, as the deployment kicked off, commuters entering the subway were met with a scene that evoked memories of the city in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks: soldiers armed with guns stationed at bag-search checkpoints, donning camouflage.
State leaders faced backlash for militarizing the subway system after the move, with NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell accusing Hochul of treating the subways as a “war zone.”
Former Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik expressed his firm stance on the matter, declaring, “Stop the theater!” He emphasized that the NYPD is well aware of their responsibilities and should be allowed to carry them out without interference.
Under Hochul’s new directive, certain guardsmen will still have assault weapons at specific subway postings. However, they will not carry these weapons at the actual bag checkpoints.
Commuters expressed their support on Sunday afternoon for the presence of the National Guard, but they also agreed with Hochul’s decision to not bring assault rifles along.
Peter Luciano, 37, expressed his approval of the National Guard presence on the subway, acknowledging the prevalent issue of violent crime that needs to be addressed.
“But the presence of guns is unnecessary. In my opinion, it’s merely a show. There is no intention of utilizing them. It stems from fear, and it’s an excessive and needless display.”
Brooklyn teacher Jazmine Diggs, 26, expressed her sense of safety with Hochul’s decision. However, she questioned the necessity of firearms in her school.
Diggs expressed concern about the possibility of someone grabbing the weapon from them and using it to shoot.
Daniella Pavon, a 28-year-old individual, shared her perspective on the matter, expressing her concerns about the use of such a weapon in a densely populated area. She did, however, appreciate the presence of the National Guard, as it made her feel safer in the event of any unforeseen incidents.
Troops made their first appearance in the subways on Wednesday, conducting random bag checks as a significant show of force. Governor Hochul believes that this action will contribute to resolving the “crisis” of crime in the subways.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her strong stance against the recent attacks on the subway system, emphasizing that such audacious and appalling acts will not be accepted or allowed.
The governor emphasized that individuals should not have to worry about someone carrying a dangerous weapon while on their way to work, visiting family, or going to a doctor’s appointment.
“We will take care of the concerns regarding the possibility of encountering individuals with knives or guns at these checkpoints. There is no need for anyone to worry about this.”
Hochul responded to critics by asserting that the average commuter experiences significant levels of “anxiety” while using the subway system. She further emphasized that the National Guard’s assistance will serve to “supplement” the efforts of the NYPD in ensuring the safety of the subway.
The governor explained in a recent interview with WBLS 107.5 FM that having a physical presence can provide a sense of security, especially when feeling anxious. Being able to see someone who could potentially protect you and offer assistance if needed can be reassuring.
“We experienced a sudden surge in criminal activities, particularly high-profile and alarming crimes,” she explained. “People started to fear that they could have easily been victims of these incidents. As a result, they may be discouraged from utilizing the subway and train systems, which is exactly the opposite of what we desire. Our goal is to ensure that people feel secure and are able to travel without any concerns for their safety.”
Subway crime experienced a significant increase of 45% in January when compared to the previous year. However, there was a notable decrease of 15% in February. Mayor Eric Adams attributed this decline to the implementation of new NYPD patrols within the Subway system.
According to the statistics from the NYPD, crime on the subway has increased by 13% overall this year.
Hochul has deployed the National Guard as part of a comprehensive five-point plan to enhance subway safety. The plan includes the following measures:
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- Influx of 1,000 National Guardsmen, state and MTA cops.
- Law to allow judges to ban transit assault perps from trains, buses.
- Installation of CCTV cameras in all train cars, conductor cabins.
- Better coordination between NYPD and district attorneys to thwart recidivists.
- $20 million to expand Subway Co-Response Outreach mental health teams.
The additional information was reported by Vaughn Golden and Carl Campanile.
