NYC subway conductor stabbed in neck sticking head out of A train cabin: 'Enough is enough'
BROOKLYN - An MTA conductor on a southbound A train inside a Brooklyn subway station was slashed in the neck when he stuck his head out of the cabin window, the NYPD said.
The incident happened Thursday shortly after 3:30 a.m. at the Rockaway Avenue Station in Brownsville.
According to police, the 59-year-old conductor, identified as Alton Scott, was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he received 34 stitches to the gaping wound.
"This is attempted murder," said TWU Local 100 Union President Richard Davis. "The wound on Mr. Scott's neck is too close to his carotid artery. We're at a breaking point where we can't do our jobs safely. The city is in crisis, and the target is on our backs.
The suspect, described as an adult man wearing a blue vest, fled the station, police said.
Transit Conductor Alton Scott is treated after being slashed in the neck on the job.
"Janno Lieber's MTA police force of 1000 officers must be immediately deployed to the metro NYC area," Davis said. "We're facing heinous crimes and brutal assaults. Enough is enough."
So far, no arrests have been made. Scott has 24 years of service.
Meanwhile, in Harlem, the MTA recently installed stanchions to protect subway conductors at the 125th Street Subway Station.
Officials hope the 4-foot rubber poles will prevent attacks on conductors.
"If the passengers actually listen and stand back, it helps us without everybody in our face when we’re trying to pull out and proceed," an MTA conductor told FOX 5 NY.
((Courtesy: MTA))
MTA Transit SVP Demetrius Crichlow said he hopes the more well-defined safety zones will allow conductors to work without fear of being attacked.
So far this year, seven MTA employees have been assaulted – four of the incidents involved suspects with at least 50 prior arrests.
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Just weeks ago, the MTA installed wider bright yellow barriers at the No. 1 Subway Station located at 191st St. and three other locations, as part of a larger pilot program to enhance subway safety by preventing people from falling or being shoved onto the tracks.
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