NEW YORK (PIX11) — Despite an overall drop in transit crime, felony assaults in New York City’s subway system have jumped 19 percent this year, according to NYPD data through the end of May.
Police stats show that there have been 828 reported crimes across the subway system in 2025, down nearly six percent from the 876 incidents reported during the same time last year.
Felony assaults, however, are moving in the opposite direction, with 255 reported incidents so far in 2025 compared to 214 during the same time frame last year. Straphangers reacted to the uptick in subway assaults.
“It makes me question whether or not police are really in the right place or doing the right things,” said Jason Zhong, a subway rider. “Maybe they should divert their focus somewhere else.”
Former NYPD Lieutenant Dr. Darrin Porcher said the key to combating the uptick in subway assaults is precision-based policing.
“Precision-based policing is deploying police officers to areas where you have the greatest propensity for crime," he said. "So, if you see there’s a lot of crime on 34th street on the two-train southbound, you want to have more officers on that two-train southbound platform.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has previously credited the 24/7 increase in police patrols, particularly on stations and platforms, where nearly 80 percent of subway crimes happen, with driving the overall decline in transit crime.
Still, violent attacks are on the rise. Just days ago, police reported a stabbing at the Grant Avenue station in Brooklyn. While some riders say the increased police presence gives them peace of mind, others question how effective that presence really is.
“I feel safe,” said John Baosamo, a subway rider. “I do see a lot of policemen, but I also see a lot of policemen not really looking at the boots. They’re looking at their cell phone.”
The NYPD said that out of all the felony assaults in the transit system this year, 73 of them have been assaults on police officers.
PIX11 News asked the NYPD whether any new efforts or adjustments are being made in response to the recent rise in felony assaults on the subway. As of now, we’re still waiting to hear back.
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