New York City, NY – A subway conductor in Brooklyn was hospitalized after a seemingly random attack, sparking concerns amid a recent surge in violent incidents within the city’s transit system. The incident took place at Rockaway Avenue subway station on the C line, where the conductor was slashed in the neck by an unknown assailant while performing his duties on a southbound C train. Police responded to the scene following a 911 call reporting the assault.
Following the attack, new safety measures were implemented, including the introduction of orange stanchions to protect front cabs in response to a string of violent incidents, which includes three homicides in recent weeks. The subway conductor was treated for his injuries and later released from the hospital, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
Officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) are expected to address the incident at a press briefing, reiterating their condemnation of the recent uptick in violence within the transit system. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about a slowdown on the A and C lines, with authorities investigating if it is related to the availability of train crew.
Recent data from the New York Police Department (NYPD) reveals a troubling trend, with the highest number of subway assaults recorded in 2023 since at least 1996. Despite the increase in assaults, NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper noted that progress has been made, attributing a reduction in crime to the deployment of an additional 1,000 officers into the subway system.
Kemper acknowledged the challenges but characterized the high-profile incidents as isolated events, seeking to reassure the public while highlighting efforts to improve safety within the subway system. The NYPD continues to monitor the situation closely, aiming to address the root causes of violence and ensure the security of both passengers and transit personnel.