For New Yorkers, the subway isn’t just a transit system—it’s a lifeline. But after five straight days of horrifying violence, that lifeline has turned into a ticking time bomb. Despite increased patrols from the NYPD, National Guard, and even the crime-fighting Guardian Angels, the Big Apple’s underground has become a hotbed of fear and lawlessness.
The week began with the horrifying death of 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, burned alive on an F train in Brooklyn. This shocking act, allegedly committed by an illegal migrant, set the tone for a series of attacks that have left straphangers on edge. Since then, five people have been stabbed or slashed, and a commuter was shoved onto subway tracks in Manhattan in a shocking caught-on-camera attack.
Politicians Sound the Alarm
“New Yorkers do not feel safe on our subways, despite the nonsense that Governor Hochul is spouting,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens). “We need to prioritize public safety over empty political rhetoric, especially now that Albany is forcing more people onto public transportation with their congestion pricing tax.”
Ariola’s frustrations were echoed by Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens), who pulled no punches. “Every day, we face stabbings, shoves onto tracks, or worse, being burned alive. But Kathy Hochul says she’s ‘making our subways safer.’ New Yorkers are tired of being gaslit—and even more tired of being assaulted,” he said.
The violence comes despite Hochul’s deployment of 1,000 National Guard troops and Mayor Eric Adams’ “surge” of another 1,000 NYPD officers underground. But these measures appear to be more about optics than outcomes.
A System Spiraling Out of Control
The chaos doesn’t stop at Kawam’s tragic murder. Just this week:
– A Bronx MTA worker was stabbed on Thursday morning at Pelham Parkway station. The attacker remains at large.
– A 52-year-old man was slashed at the Myrtle-Wyckoff station.
– A 48-year-old man was attacked at the West 50th Street station in Manhattan.
– Two others were slashed on New Year’s Day in separate incidents just minutes apart.
Perhaps the most terrifying moment came Tuesday when 45-year-old Joseph Lynskey was pushed onto subway tracks in Manhattan. Miraculously, he survived. The alleged attacker, 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins, was quickly arrested and charged with attempted murder.
Police statistics paint an even bleaker picture. Over the 28 days leading up to this crime wave, felony assaults in the subway system surged 40% compared to the same period last year.
Guardian Angels Return, Politicians Demand Action
The worsening violence has prompted the return of Curtis Sliwa’s Guardian Angels. For the first time since 2020, these volunteer crime-fighters will patrol subway stations around the clock, targeting crime hot spots. But as admirable as their efforts are, many argue it’s not enough.
Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn) didn’t mince words. “This violence won’t stop until our leaders use common sense to address the root causes. These crimes are being perpetrated by illegal migrants or mentally disturbed individuals with priors,” she said.
Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) was even more direct: “Maybe all the public safety kabuki theater won’t be necessary if we just go back to arresting and prosecuting bad guys.”
Empty Promises from City Hall
In a statement, City Hall acknowledged the surge in violence but offered little more than platitudes. “Mayor Adams is committed to improving the lives of New Yorkers, which is why he regularly rides the subway to hear directly from commuters about how to make the system safer,” the statement read.
Adams also touted his increased police presence and “crime reduction” statistics but admitted these numbers mean little to those living in fear. “We must do more to prevent random acts of violence,” City Hall added, calling for Albany to pass the Supportive Interventions Act, aimed at helping those with severe mental illness.
Gaslighting the Public
Governor Hochul’s office, meanwhile, was conspicuously silent. Her previous claims of a “safer subway” ring increasingly hollow as New Yorkers contend with daily threats. Instead of addressing real concerns, Hochul’s administration appears more focused on damage control than implementing meaningful reforms.
Common Sense Solutions Needed
The root causes of this crisis are clear: policies that coddle criminals, embolden illegal migrants, and ignore the mental health epidemic have left the subway system in chaos. The solution? Empower the NYPD to enforce the law without political interference, prosecute violent offenders to the fullest extent, and address mental illness with real interventions—not just lip service.
New Yorkers deserve better than being told “crime is down” while fearing for their lives. It’s time for leadership that prioritizes safety over slogans. Until then, the subway remains a symbol of a city losing its grip on law and order.
