This week marked the city’s first subway shooting of the year, stirring up concern among riders as new NYPD statistics reveal a rise in crime on public transit. Many passengers are now calling for an increased police presence underground.
Data shows that serious crimes—including murder and rape—rose by 17% this year, totaling 246 reported incidents compared to 210 from the same timeframe in 2025.
Meanwhile, robberies soared by 58%, jumping from 38 to 60 cases, while assaults increased by 9%, going from 65 to 71, according to NYPD figures up to February 8.
Michael Ford, a 74-year-old retired resident of Manhattan, shared his worries at the Times Square station. “There are just so many people dealing with mental health issues and drugs,” he noted. “I ride the subway often, and it’s just not a good situation.” He attributed the crime rise to drug use and homelessness, urging Mayor Mamdani to bolster police presence on transit.
An NYPD spokesperson remarked that the 17% increase translates to about 36 incidents daily, averaging roughly six crime indicators. The spokesperson mentioned that the cold weather in early February might be affecting transit usage.
“When temperatures drop, especially like they have lately, more people turn to public transit,” said the NYPD representative.
Mamdani acknowledged that metro emissions had been suspended during the recent cold snap. In response to the uptick in crime, about 100 additional officers have been deployed daily to the subway system, as stated by police.
However, the spokesperson cautioned that six weeks is a brief period to establish a solid trend.
Last year, Police Chief Jessica Tisch, along with Mayor Adams, introduced a strategy to increase police visibility on trains and platforms, assigning two officers to each night train.
By mid-2025, metro crime had reportedly hit a record low, with serious incidents per million passengers decreasing by nearly 30% since 2021.
This week’s incident involved a 41-year-old man fatally shot during a confrontation on a subway platform in the Bronx. Police reported that Adrian Dawodu was attacked just before 3 p.m. on the southbound platform of the 170th Street B and D Station, sustaining two gunshot wounds.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenney described the victim as a known presence who often “screamed at people.” Disturbing footage shared on social media showed the assailant shooting at Dawodu, who fell next to a trash can.
Authorities identified the suspect as 27-year-old Alberto Frias after discovering a video of him fleeing the scene. Detectives also found a shell casing in his home that likely fell from him while he changed clothes after the incident.
Blake Hammond, a 21-year-old Columbia University student, reported that his sister, who regularly uses the subway, is deeply frightened. “My sister is really scared,” he said. “She definitely wants more police around.”
Elizabeth McDermott, 55, a grandmother, echoed concerns surrounding “mentally ill people on the subway,” emphasizing the need for places like Bellevue to take in patients.
Kelly Smith, a 66-year-old stylist from New Jersey, described her daily commute as increasingly frightening. “I’m much more cautious than before,” she said at the Times Square station. “Honestly, New York politics feel pretty ineffective.”
