Spike In Crime In Subway System Prompts Increased Patrols

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York City subway system has seen an alarming rise in crime in just the past month, and the NYPD has now added more patrols on platforms.

As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, the NYPD said subway crimes are up 20 percent over the last 28 days compared with the same period last year.

Steven Thompson, 21, said it comes as no surprise to him.

"I see people attacking other people. I see people taking people's cell phones," said Thompson, of Harlem. "There's been a lot of hostility."

The biggest spike is in subway robberies, which were up 65 percent. There were 48 robberies during the last month, compared with 29 in the same month in 2014.

Assaults have also risen, with 111 systemwide in the past six months. There were only 89 in the same period a year ago.

The increase in subway crime caught the eye of NYPD Chief of Department James O'Neill and Transit Chief Joseph Fox. They called a meeting with all Transit Bureau commanders to get to the bottom of the problem.

"A lot of (commanding officers) got to talk about their analysis of crime in their district; come up with a few ideas," Fox said. "And it was very productive."

Fox said subway crimes usually increase over the summer months, as tourists arrive and add to the ridership. Thus, the NYPD is adding more patrols – uniformed and plainclothes – in the mezzanines and on platforms and trains.

"I think they need to put more police down there in the subway system – undercovers, something so people can be safe and feel safe riding on the trains," said Derrick Capers of Mott Haven, the Bronx.

"Probably 10 years ago I got my pocket picked," said Tim Gilchrist of the Upper West Side. "And what I realized then is how many of the police are plainclothes -- you don't really know."

"All of us who travel on the subway make it safe by being there – if we know how to behave," a third straphanger said.

Fox said riders should find comfort in learning overall, subway crime has dropped 12 percent in the last week.

"There's no panic. There's just smart deployment – paying attention," Fox said. "The transit system is one of the safest in the world and it will stay that way."

The NYPD said it has about 200 rookie police officers taking part in training with veteran officers, so they can spot criminals who are about to commit crimes such as pickpocketing in the subway.