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Man Slashed, Teens Stabbed, Conductor Slapped: Rash Of Violent Subway Crimes Leaves Riders On Edge

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – At least six violent subway crimes have been reported since Wednesday afternoon, leaving some riders on edge.

The latest happened early this morning at a subway station in the Mount Hope section of the Bronx.

Police said a 21-year-old man was hit with a hammer and thrown onto the tracks by a man yelling anti-gay slurs. The victim was able to climb back onto the platform before the train arrived.

The night before, a 39-year-old man was slashed in the face and neck after he accidentally bumped into another man at the 181st Street subway station in Washington Heights.

"I usually feel safe. So when we hear things like this, it's very surprising to us," said a 14-year-old boy who takes the train to school every day.

"I have a little one and I don't want it happening here or anywhere," a woman said.

"It's shocking because it's so rare," a man added.

MORE: Subway Rider Slashed In The Face After Bumping Into Attacker In Washington Heights, Police Say

Earlier Thursday, two 15-year-old boys were stabbed multiple times on the Westchester Square platform in the Bronx.

About an hour later, a female conductor had water thrown in her face in East New York, Brooklyn.

She was the second conductor attacked in Brooklyn this week. Another was slapped in the face Wednesday in Gowanus.

Police also continue to search for a group of suspects accused of antagonizing a dog and attacking its owners Wednesday on board a Queens-bound E train in Jamaica.

New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson spoke about subway crime Friday on CBSN New York.

Web Extra: Corey Johnson on subway crime

Johnson says while the city has brought down major crime, there's still work to be done.

"It's really great that we have the lowest homicide numbers that this city's ever seen, this year and last year. But still, if people feel unsafe in their community, on the subway, we need to make sure we are doing more to combat that," he said.

Johnson said it's important the city look at the root of crime, and that means in part getting people the treatment they need if they are mentally ill.

According to NYPD numbers, some subway crimes are on the rise.

MORE: NYPD Numbers Show Increase In Some Subway Crimes

For example, from Jan. 1 to Nov. 17, there were 1,185 transit misdemeanor assaults citywide. That's a 10.9% jump from the same time in 2018.

Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Tony Utano told CBS2 that complaints by transit employees for these kind of crimes are up about 40%.

"Getting spit on, getting punched, getting urine thrown on them. Lots of different stuff going on," he said.

In a statement earlier this week, the MTA said the NYPD's numbers reflect the continued need to protect employees and customers.

Back in September, the agency said it would be hiring 500 additional transit police officers.

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