Checking in at Rockaway Avenue station following governor's new subway safety plan
News 12's Faith Graham is checking in to see if those resources are being used for smaller stations in the city.
More Stories
Gov. Kathy Hochul deployed the National Guard as she rolled out her five-point plan to combat the recent uptick in subway crime.
The governor first introduced the plan on Wednesday. It consists of additional law enforcement officers, bag checks and the installation of cameras.
The state has deployed 1,000 members of the National Guard and New York State Police to the busiest transit hubs. So far, the National Guard has been spotted at Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal. Commuters say they have seen them at Atlantic Terminal as well.
"Been seeing the National Guard, NYPD, I guess that makes us feel a little bit more comfortable and safer," said Jamar Sullivan, a commuter.
Along with ramping up law enforcement, Hochul is also calling for cameras to be installed in all conductor cabins. It comes after a Metropolitan Transportation Authority conductor was slashed in the neck at the Rockaway Avenue station in Ocean Hill.
The violent attack was a driving force for the governor's sweeping safety plan. While there was no visible police presence at Rockaway Avenue station Friday morning, commuters say they have seen some police officers underground.
"Yes, I see police during the mornings and afternoon," said a commuter.
An MTA employee at the Rockaway Avenue station told News 12 he would like to see cameras installed stationwide and not just in the conductor cabins.
The governor says these safety measures will be in effect as long as necessary.
