As overall crime in the New York City increased last month, Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday that the city's Metropolitan Transportation Authority would be installing security cameras on every car of the subway.
According to the New York Times, the move aims to convince people who are frightened of using public transportation to ride in the subway again. Moreover, this action of the city aims to ensure the safety of the people.
Installation of Security Camera Aims to Increase Riders' Confidence in Subway's Safety
Each car will be equipped with two security cameras, according to Hochul.
According to NBC News, the goal of the NYC government's action is to increase riders' confidence in subway safety.
When the pandemic struck, it led to the city's lockdown for more than two years. With this, many New Yorkers abandoned the subways. Currently, there's still a lag when it comes to the ridership numbers.
Crimes have become more common in subways as more people have discovered ways to navigate NYC.
Some of these crimes include the rape of a tourist on a subway platform that happened this month and a mass shooting on a subway car in Brooklyn that happened in April.
"My number one priority as Governor is keeping New Yorkers safe," Hochul said in a statement, as cited by CBS News.
Moreover, Hochul added that the installation of cameras on all Subway cars would expand NYC's security capabilities. Likewise, it will provide support to the city's law enforcement.
The NYC governor also stated that the government would be having surveillance of activities on the subway trains with the aim of giving New Yorkers peace of mind about their safety.
Read Also: 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Spoilers, Easter Eggs: 5 Marvel References You Might Have Missed!
Move to Install Security Cameras Worries Privacy Advocates
According to CBS News, the project will utilize the $2 million funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative federal grant program together with the $3.5 million from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The NYC government will purchase 12,700 cameras that will be installed in subway cars. With this number, it is expected that every subway car will be installed with two security cameras.
Each month, cameras will be added to 200 train cars. The installation process is expected to be completed by 2025.
The city's 472 subway stations all throughout the city are already equipped with surveillance cameras. Currently, 100 subway cars are equipped with around 200 cameras.
However, there is a mixed reaction regarding the NYC government's decision to install security cameras in subway train cars.
According to NBC News, some privacy advocates are worried that the installation of security cameras will only "increase the level of surveillance of New Yorkers without necessarily making the subway safer."
Privacy advocates are also worried who will manufacture the cameras and who can access the video files.
However, Hochul emphasized that this move is to ensure the safety of the people who are using the subway.
"This is all about safety, the safety of our riders and letting would-be criminals know that should you harm any other passenger in any way, you will be observed, you'll be caught, and you'll be prosecuted," Hochul said.
Related Article: New York's Subway Tunnels Will Eventually Get Cellular Service - But When?
