At around 7:30 am on Dec. 22, 2024, Debrina Kawam was horrifically set on fire by Sebastian Zapeda while asleep on an F train approaching the Coney Island-Stillwell Ave station in Brooklyn. Earlier that day, at around 12:35 am, two people were stabbed on a southbound 7 train at 61st-Woodside station. Unfortunately, one of the stabbing victims and Kawam were killed in these tragic events. A few days later on Dec. 31, a 45-year-old man was pushed into the subway tracks at the 18th st station on the 1 train.
“Some people I know don’t feel comfortable in their neighborhoods,” sophomore Chandra Lin said, “No one should feel unsafe in the city they call home”.
These horrific acts were just a few during a sudden surge in subway crimes near the end of 2024. Over the span of a month, there were 48 felony incidents reported on the subway, a 40% increase over the same period in 2023. The sudden increase in subway violence prompted the Guardian Angel group to resume subway patrols for the first time since 2020.
It only takes 25 mins to go from Great Neck station to Penn Station, truly revealing how these tragic incidents that are less than a half hour away can impact the Great Neck community. Many Great Neck residents work in New York and often opt to take public transportation, but amid the rise in crime on the subway, many express safety concerns about their daily commute.
“It’s starting to be scary to go to work nowadays,” resident Lisa Cummings said. “I always take the train to go to work but as the situation is getting worse, I’ve been taking extra precautions.”
In addition to the many residents who work in New York, many North High students enjoy going to N.Y.C. during their free time. In New York, students often take the subway as it can be the cheapest and easiest way to get from one place to another. Due to the recent horrific crimes, many concerned parents show concern about letting their teenagers go to Manhattan without parental supervision.
“It’s a frightening and scary time to go to Manhattan,” sophomore Ella Parness said, “Hearing these stories makes my parents think if letting me go to the city is even worth it.”
If crime on the subway increases at this rate, many commuters may eventually decide to drive instead of taking public transportation, adding to the already extreme amount of cars going into Manhattan. Additionally, as more cars drive instead of taking the subway, carbon emissions will increase, contributing to pollution.
On Jan. 5, Gov. Kathy Hocul’s congestion pricing plan went into effect now costing drivers $9 if they decide to venture below 60th Street in Manhattan. Hochul’s congestion plan was created to incentivize people to take the subways but with this sudden spike in crime: would people risk it?
Before the jump in felonies on the subway, New York lawmakers have been attempting to lower the crime rate on the subway. Some solutions New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Hochul tried to include more police, more National Guard members and even more outreach teams to direct homeless riders into shelters. These mitigation efforts have been met with criticism because many claim that it didn’t work.
Local and state lawmakers are trying new approaches such as Gov. Hochul is backing a bill that would make it easier to involuntarily hospitalize people with psychiatric crises which could potentially help reduce attacks. As of now, no major laws have been passed to reduce crime on the subway.
The rise in subway violence has left commuters, residents, and visitors uneasy and questioning their safety. Without real solutions, it’s hard to see people trust the subway like they used to.
