Cameras Now Monitor Every NYC Subway Car, Hochul Says Safety Is Top Priority

Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that surveillance cameras have been installed in every subway car in New York City. The move, she says, is designed to reduce violent crime on public transit and assist law enforcement in solving cases more efficiently.

Hochul pointed to recent high-profile subway crimes as evidence of the need for heightened security measures. She highlighted cases such as a woman being burned alive by an illegal immigrant and the trial of former Marine Daniel Penny, who confronted a homeless man threatening passengers.

In addition to the camera installation, Hochul deployed 250 more National Guard members to patrol the transit system in December, bringing the total to 1,000. She emphasized public safety as her “top priority” and described the initiative as a necessary response to growing violence in the subway system.

Addressing the role of mental health in subway violence, Hochul criticized decades of reduced funding for mental health care and supportive housing. She described untreated mental illness as a major factor in the rise of violent incidents, adding that the problem stems from individuals not being connected to proper care.

Hochul also announced plans to introduce legislation that would expand the criteria for involuntary commitment. She stated that current laws only allow hospitals to commit individuals who pose a clear risk of harm to themselves or others, leaving gaps in care for those with severe untreated mental illness.

The security camera project was ordered by Hochul as part of a broader effort to address public safety concerns. She said the initiative will help restore confidence in the subway system for commuters and residents alike.

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