Governor Hochul Addresses Subway Violence, But Critics Demand Action Amid Rising Public Fear

By Y.M. Lowy

In response to a series of violent incidents on New York City’s subway system, including multiple stabbings in recent days, Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a statement outlining her administration’s efforts to enhance public safety and address mental health challenges contributing to the crisis.

Governor Hochul acknowledged the surge in violent crimes on public transit, attributing many incidents to individuals with untreated mental illnesses. “The recent surge in violent crimes in our public transit system cannot continue and we need to tackle this crisis head-on. Many of these horrific incidents have involved people with serious untreated mental illness, the result of a failure to get treatment to people who are living on the streets and are disconnected from our mental health care system. We have a duty to protect the public from random acts of violence, and the only fair and compassionate thing to do is to get our fellow New Yorkers the help they need,” she stated.

The Governor highlighted initiatives aimed at reversing decades of disinvestment in mental health care and supportive housing. These measures include a $1 billion plan to transform the continuum of care, the deployment of mental health outreach teams that have assisted 750 individuals in securing stable care, and the restoration of 1,000 inpatient psychiatric beds. Additionally, new regulations are being imposed on mental health facilities to ensure patients are discharged with a treatment action plan.

Despite these outlined efforts, public concern remains high following recent violent incidents. On January 1, 2025, two men were wounded in separate subway stabbings in Manhattan, marking a bloody start to the new year.  Additionally, an MTA worker was stabbed at a Bronx subway station on January 2, 2025, further exacerbating safety concerns.

Critics argue that while the Governor’s initiatives are steps in the right direction, immediate and tangible actions are necessary to restore public confidence in subway safety. The recent uptick in violent incidents has left commuters on edge, underscoring the urgency for effective interventions to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers utilizing public transit.