Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a series of initiatives to improve safety on the New York City Subway, citing record-low crime levels and rising ridership.
During her 2026 State of the State on Jan. 13, Hochul said subway crime fell to its lowest level in 16 years in 2025, with major crimes down 14.4% compared with 2019.
According to the governor, transit robberies dropped to their lowest levels on record, while gun recoveries reached an all-time high. Meanwhile, ridership increased, with nearly 1.3 billion subway trips taken in 2025, up 30% from 2022.
The governor attributed the decline in crime and increase in ridership to expanded police presence and investments in mental health engagement strategies. To build on those gains, Hochul said the state will commit an additional $77 million to support the deployment of New York City Police Department officers across the subway system, focusing on locations with the greatest need.
Hochul also announced plans to expand the Subway Co-Response Outreach Teams, known as SCOUT. The program pairs MTA Police Department officers with clinical staff from the NYC Department of Homeless Services to assist people experiencing homelessness or severe mental illness in the subway system. Since its launch, the initiative has resulted in about 7,500 nights of inpatient hospital care, with few law enforcement actions.
Under the plan, SCOUT teams will expand by 50%, from 10 to 15 teams, enabling broader coverage and faster responses to individuals in crisis.
In addition, Hochul said the state will expand the installation of platform edge barriers to 85 more subway stations in 2026. The move builds on upgrades already completed at 115 stations and is intended to reduce the risk of falls onto tracks and improve day-to-day rider safety.
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