NYC transit system reports multiple slashing crimes in just 1 week

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Over the past week, the New York City transit system was overwhelmed with violent cases.
• Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of robbery and burglary were on the rise compared to 2019 data.
• The surge in violent cases came amid the recurring mental health crisis in the city.

The New York City transit system has faced multiple cases of crimes over the last week ━ series of slashing incidents on the subway, an assault on a bus driver, and a woman who got shoved to the tracks.

According to local police and other sources, the NYPD has reported another slashing crime on Tuesday, on top of the incidents that already happened at least five times in just a week.

One retired transit supervisor said: “I don’t ever remember it being this bad. But I am not surprised considering the city is running amok and the politicians just keep putting their heads further in the sand or, in this case, the hole.”

“The city is full of homeless and mentally ill people, but the city keeps throwing good money after bad but not helping or solving problems,” he continued.

Based on the Metropolitan Traffic Authority data, felony crimes decreased but robbery and burglary cases climbed, in addition to six murders over the year despite the significant dip in commuting volume brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The data also showed a 62-percent decline in arrests in connection with the transit system.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said that New York endured “a perfect storm” last year while arguing that subways are safer now than the previous years.

“It’s not about comparison to even the ’90s.’ It’s comparison to even more recent years. The subways have gotten safer and safer,” he said.

De Blasio’s comments, however, were in stark contrast with the current situation.

Speaking with The Post, one veteran police officer said: “My mom is really, really scared. She drives into work at Riker’s Island every day because she’s scared to death to get on the subway.”

“She says she’s afraid of being pushed on the tracks,” he added. “She’s scared for her life.”

The surge in transit cases coincided with the continuous mental health crisis looming in the city. The line-up of incidents has provoked Interim President Sarah Feinberg of NYC Transit Authority to request Mayor Bill de Blasio for clearance in deploying social workers to 311 calls in the subway system incidents.

“There is no doubt the city can better serve the vulnerable homeless and mentally ill population by connecting them with trained professionals, instead of forcing bystanders to call 911, which inevitably results in repetitive police action,” Feinberg wrote in a letter to the mayor dated January 5.

“The individuals are rejected from the system only to return the moment police leave.”

Source: Fox News