District attorneys from all 5 boroughs call for stricter penalties for attacks, spitting on transit workers

In the last four weeks, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has reported more than 150 incidents on buses and trains.

News 12 Staff

Mar 3, 2021, 10:55 PM

Updated 1,378 days ago

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District attorneys from all five New York City boroughs joined transit workers Wednesday to call on the state Legislature to amend the state penal code and increase the penalty for spitting on or attacking transit workers.
Currently, spitting on a transit worker is only a violation unless a police officer is a witness to the incident. DAs from all five boroughs are supporting legislation that would result in greater consequences.
They want these attacks to be considered a misdemeanor aggravated harassment and punishable with up to a year in prison.
In the last four weeks, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has reported more than 150 incidents on buses and trains.
They are calling these attacks disgusting and intolerable, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
The MTA says the legislation is something it has long sought.