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More Officers Dispatched To Some Subway Stations In Wake Of Slashings

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD is deploying more officers to subway stations in the wake of a flurry of slashing attacks this year.

As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, the effort was under way Friday afternoon at the 125th Street A, B, C and D train station in Harlem. Police were putting on a show of force in an effort to make people feel more comfortable underground.

This effort in particular is designed to make people feel safer in the subway at night -- after a 20 percent rise in slashings and stabbings around the city.

About two dozen NYPD transit and community affairs officers were deployed at the station at 125th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, as well as other stations around the five boroughs.

Officers handed out safety information to passengers on platforms, patrolling on trains and trying to reassure people with a show of force. Straphangers told CBS2 Friday afternoon that they welcomed the move.

"A lot of times people got hurt in the subway; got robbed, so if the police are close, it's easier to catch the person," said Jennifer Gordon.

"We need more policing at different stations," said Marianella Flores.

NYPD Transit Bureau Chief Vincent Coogan said the officers will step in whenever needed.

"There's a presence out there. You know, people see the police officers, and if there's anything on the trains that need attention by police, it will be taken care of," Coogan said.

Teams of officers were also patrolling subway stations in the Bronx Saturday night, and they will be targeting stations in all five boroughs over the next several month.

Earlier this week, officials announced a plan to put more officers on the trains during the 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. tour and the midnight to 8 a.m. tour; send Strategic Response teams to targeted stations; and officers assigned above ground are asked to stop into subway stations in their command and walk the platforms.

1010 WINS also learned from sources that train inspections will increase from about 10 to 15 times a day, to 40. Teams will also fan out from Times Square or mid-Manhattan stations into the outer boroughs, sources told 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa.

Teams involving community affairs officers will also be at strategic subway stops, talking to commuters and showing a presence, sources said.

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