New York City’s subway system is experiencing a troubling increase in violence, with murders up 60% this year. Data from the New York Police Department (NYPD) shows that eight subway-related murders have occurred by early September, compared to five during the same time last year. This puts the city on pace to approach the 25-year high of 10 murders recorded in 2022.
The most recent fatality involved Freddie Weston, 47, who was shot at the Rockaway Avenue station on September 5, 2024. Weston’s family has pointed to the lack of security cameras at the station as a factor in his death. Jakeba Dockery, whose husband was killed earlier this year, shared her fears about subway safety, stating, “It just feels evil.”
In response to the rising violence, New York City has increased security by deploying 750 National Guardsmen and 1,000 additional NYPD officers to subway stations. These efforts have resulted in a 15% drop in overall subway felonies and a record number of weapon seizures this year, including 43 firearms and 1,536 knives.
The NYPD credits these measures for the overall crime reduction but acknowledges that the spike in subway murders remains a serious issue. The department continues to focus on proactive policing and detailed investigations to address this challenge.
As the city nears a potential record for subway murders, officials are under intense scrutiny to enhance security measures and tackle the growing problem of violence within the transit system.
