He wants to stop subway surfing from becoming deadly!
An enthusiastic teenager from the Bronx, who was recognized as “Commissioner of the Day” by the NYPD, is determined to put an end to the dangerous trend of subway surfing. This was shared during his conversation with the Post on Wednesday.
Eighteen-year-old Carmelo Verene earned this honorary title after penning an essay focused on preventing such risky behavior, which has resulted in 14 fatalities in New York over the last two years.
“Some kids are as young as 11 surfing the subway, and I think they don’t fully grasp the risks involved,” explained Vereen, a junior at the Bronx Academy in the Urban Council.
“Social media plays a huge role in making subway surfing seem appealing. It’s one of the reasons why young people are getting involved now,” he noted.
His idea is to use these same platforms to, in his words, “dismantle” the façade and make it seem less thrilling.
The Police Athletic League organized an essay contest that posed the question: “As the police chief, what measures would you implement with MTA officials to deter young people from subway surfing?”
Vereen’s aspirations include becoming a police officer, and he begins his essay with a strong assertion about the growing trend of riding on moving trains.
He reflects on a tragic event back in 1996 when a 14-year-old died while subway surfing, recalling how former mayor Giuliani commented on it.
However, he disagrees with that viewpoint.
Vereen suggests a “trend state” program that would monitor and flag social media posts that glamorize subway surfing.
In addition, he advocates for a youth initiative that brings together subway surfing survivors and families who have lost loved ones, aiming to educate young people about the dangers of such trends.
During a ceremony at Police Plaza on Wednesday, Police Commissioner Jessica Tish commended Verene’s insights.
“Your essay stood out, not just for your writing but for your thoughtful approach,” she noted. “You tackled it with empathy, depth, and an understanding that this is a complex issue that requires collective effort.”
Along with the honorary title, Vereen received a $500 cash prize and an opportunity to spend the day with some of the city’s leading police officers, as reported by Pal New York.
