'National Guard' deployed to the subway
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a new 5-point plan to combat the rising crime on the city's subway lines. Under the plan, National Guard members will be deployed to the city's subway system.
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Hochul stated that as part of the plan prepared to combat rising crime rates in subway stations, 750 National Guard members and 250 police officers will be deployed at station entrances.
In her statement to reporters, Governor Hochul said, "No one heading to work, visiting family, or going to a doctor's appointment should have to worry about whether the person sitting next to them possesses a deadly weapon."
45 PERCENT INCREASE IN CRIME RATES
Stating that additional teams "that will deal with cases involving individuals showing signs of mental illness" will also be included in the additional security units to be deployed to the subway system, Hochul requested support from district attorneys to keep criminals away from the public transportation system.
Hochul added that she has proposed a law that would give judges the authority to ban individuals who commit multiple offenses from riding New York subways.
The package of measures announced by the Governor's Office to make subways safer comes after a 45 percent increase in crime rates on New York subways in January.
On the other hand, New York Police Department Chief Michael Kemper noted that arrests in the subway system have increased by 45 percent this year, that 3,000 arrests were made in the subway system in the first two months of the year, and that most of those arrested had committed the same offense multiple times.