MTA calling for increased NYPD presence in subways after string of violent attacks
NEW YORK - The MTA is asking for an increased police presence on New York City's subways after a string of violent attacks that are under investigation by the NYPD.
The attacks came just a day after the NYPD released shocking numbers showing an increase in overall crime.
"It is not currently safe for all of our transit workers," said Sarah Feinberg, Interim President of the New York City Transit Authority. "And it's not as safe as it could be and it's not safe enough to be able to convince all of the New Yorkers to come back to the subway system, that it's a safe place to be and that's what we need."
However, the Mayor's Office doesn't agree with the MTA's assessment of the situation.
"The MTA isn't just fearmongering anymore; they're actively lying to New Yorkers about public safety," a spokesman for the Mayor's Office said. "It's truly outrageous to lie to discourage people from using the subways, and it's time for the MTA and the Governor to stop publicly rooting against New York City's economic recovery."
"As a real New Yorker, I won't hesitate to take the subway," de Blasio said at a briefing on Thursday.
In the first of the recent subway incidents, a 28-year-old man was left in stable condition Thursday after he was stabbed in the stomach following a dispute with a man over a seat.
Police say the incident took place Wednesday at about 11:20 p.m. aboard a southbound D train at the 161st Street/Yankee Stadium station in the Bronx.
The victim got off the train in Hamilton Heights where he was taken to Lincoln Hospital.
The assailant remains at large.
Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app!
Roughly ten minutes later, a 62-year-old man was slashed in the left side of the face aboard a moving northbound J train near Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. The man was hospitalized in stable condition.
It was not clear what lead to the slashing. Cops described the alleged assailant as "uncooperative."
In another incident in the Bronx, a 55-year-old woman was pushed to the ground Wednesday at about 9:20 p.m. inside the Fordham Road Station. The suspect snatched her cellphone from her hand and smashed it on the ground, causing the screen to break. The man then fled on foot. The victim was treated by EMS. inside the Fordham Road Station.
RELATED: NYPD: Shootings, assault, overall crimes surge in April
Police are offering a $2,500 reward for information on the attacker.
New numbers from the NYPD show the city endured a bloody April with shootings spiking more than 166% compared to the same time period last year.
The city saw a jaw-dropping 166% increase in shooting incidents over last April, jumping from 56 to 149. There was also a 35% increase in felony assaults, from 1,202 incidents in April 2020 to 1,630 this April.