The Key to Efficient NYC Subways: Prioritizing Public Safety

New York has experienced 40 subway homicides since 2020, marking a five-fold increase compared to previous years.

A similar surge in public safety issues underground occurred in the mid-1960s, but it took 25 years for New York to address and rectify the situation.

The story of New York’s transformation in reducing crime began in 1990 when 22-year-old Brian Watkins was fatally stabbed in a Midtown subway station while defending his parents from robbers.

Watkins’ tragic death served as a wake-up call for the city to crack down on minor offenses like fare evasion, which was the entry point for the criminals involved in the incident.

Prior to Watkins’ murder, subway violence had become normalized in New York, claiming the lives of various individuals from different walks of life.

Decades before Watkins, there was Andrew Mormile, whose shocking murder in the mid-1960s highlighted the rising concerns around subway safety.

Between 1904, when the subway system was established, and the mid-1960s, New York City residents rode the subway without fear of violent incidents.

In 1949, the subway transported nearly 2 billion riders without any reported homicides.

However, crime was on the rise leading up to Mormile’s murder, with major subway crimes nearly doubling from 1959 to 1964.

Mormile’s tragic death at the hands of a fellow passenger in 1965 prompted Mayor Robert Wagner to take action to improve subway safety, including increased police presence and patrol.

By the mid-1960s, there was a significant decrease in subway crimes, demonstrating the effectiveness of these measures in reducing violence.

Unfortunately, due to budget constraints in the 1970s, the progress made in subway safety was undermined, leading to a resurgence in crime and disorder on the trains.

By the 1980s, subway felonies were rampant, with escalating crime rates despite efforts to address the issue.

However, a new approach under transit police chief Bill Bratton in the early 1990s, focusing on deterrence and prevention through policies like cracking down on fare evasion, led to a significant reduction in subway crimes.

By the late 2010s, New York City’s subways had become safer, reflecting the broader decline in crime rates across the city.

However, recent data indicates a reversal in this trend, with an increase in subway homicides and assaults, mirroring the overall rise in crime rates in the city.

Several factors, including criminal justice reforms and decreased police presence, have contributed to the resurgence of subway crime, challenging the progress made over the past decades.

As history repeats itself, it begs the question of whether New York will take another 25 years to address the current challenges in subway safety.

Nicole Gelinas’ book on NYC transportation history, “Movement,” out Nov. 5, is available for pre-order.