Rise In NYC Subway Crime Affects Riverdale Community
It is now commonplace for New Yorkers to be met with disturbing headlines describing subway violence. From pickpockets and assaults to stabbings and even burnings, New York is seeing an uptick in safety concerns and growing dissatisfaction with New York Public transit.
Since 2020, the number of murders, felony assaults, and people getting pushed onto the tracks has risen. According to numerous sources, the frequency of violent crimes has significantly increased since 2014. According to data obtained by the New York Post, as of September 2024, murders across the NYC subway system increased by 60% YTD.
For over a century, the NYC subway system has been a vital mode of transportation for New Yorkers. As an efficient and affordable form of transportation, the subway is a necessity for New Yorkers especially students and faculty in the Riverdale community like Mr. Juan Pérez, a Middle and Upper School Language Teacher at Riverdale. He comments “I’ve always been an avid user of the subway here in New York ever since I came to live in the city in 2020 and even before.”
Safety fears, as a result of perceived and real threats have affected ridership. Both Dr. Abbe Karmen, an Upper School History Teacher at Riverdale, and her daughter have experienced firsthand scares with a shooter in the subway. Dr. Karmen recalls how on the way to a Yankees game a few years ago, she and her daughter were going down the stairs to the platform, and “everybody was running back up, they were yelling that there was someone with a gun…totally scary.” Dr. Karmen, who used to be an avid subway user, now rides the subway on occasion, feeling the lingering effects of her frightening encounter. She has shifted to riding Citi Bikes instead to prioritize her safety. She explained, “Personal fear for my safety has caused me to use the subway less and think about the time of day.”
Many subway riders have tried to be more aware when riding the subway. For example, Charlie Greenberg, a Riverdale sophomore, describes how he is much more alert in his surroundings while standing on the platform and inside the train. “Due to the increase in subway incidents, the possibility of crime and violence is top of mind for me,” said Greenberg.
Similarly, Mr. Pérez commented how his frequency of subway use has stayed the same but he has become more aware of his surroundings. He noticed, “You keep your eyes open, more than you did before.” He states he is “less comfortable taking it during the night after 9 pm or in the early morning like at 2 am.” He explains, “Given what’s happening, I definitely wouldn’t ride the subway alone during the night.”
Using the subway has now become a skill, as well as being aware of your surroundings and learning tricks to stay safe. As a “smart subway user,” Dr. Karmen knows to stay close to the wall and to hold her bag tightly.
In an effort to address New Yorkers’ safety concerns, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch ordered an increased police presence on the subway trains and platforms at the beginning of this year. Both Dr. Karmen and Mr. Pérez have taken notice of the larger police presence on subway platforms.
Mr. Pérez told us he noticed this “especially in big stations such as Times Square, Penn Station, and Columbus Circle,” noting that he sees officers “walking around and a couple of them in the subway cars.” Dr. Karmen believes increased police presence is a good deterrent to some acts of crime and that more police might prevent petty theft like pickpocketing.
As for keeping the city and our Riverdale subway users safe, Mr. Pérez offers some key advice: “All citizens should be committed to keeping each other safe. I think that part we can do better…we are lucky to have a mode of transportation like the subway…the subway is such an iconic part of the New York City experience.”
