Hochul deploys 1,000 National Guard and State Police to patrol New York City subways

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced that she is deploying 1,000 National Guard soldiers and State Police officers to patrol the New York City subway and check bags following major crime spikes in the transportation system. 

Referring to multiple recent high-profile assaults as she made the announcement, Hochul said, "These brazen heinous attacks on our subway system will not be tolerated."

Hochul said the program will focus on "repeat offenders, deterring crime and protecting the people in our subways."

Hochul said bag checks will be conducted by officers and soldiers in the city's busiest stations to ensure that "weapons are not being brought in."

The plan includes 750 National Guard members and 250 State Police officers and Mass Transit Authority Police who will be deployed to the subway system.

The decision comes after New York City Mayor Eric Adams last month ordered an additional 1,000 officers to the subways after January 2024 saw a 45% spike in crime compared to the same time last year, according to The New York Times.

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.