Murders in New York City’s subway system are rising this year, with eight reported killings as of Sept. 8, according to NYPD data. This marks a 60% increase from the five murders reported during the same period in 2023. It also puts the city on track to reach the record of 10 subway murders set in 2022, the highest number since 1997.
Despite the surge in homicides, overall crime on the subway has decreased by nearly 6%, with significant drops in robberies (down 18%) and felony assaults (down 5%). The NYPD credits these reductions to increased patrols, with an additional 1,000 officers deployed in the transit system, and the removal of a record number of weapons, including 43 guns and 1,536 knives this year.
However, the rise in murders left many commuters fearing for their safety. The NYPD attributed the increase in violent crime to a combination of factors, including mental health issues and a police force stretched thin.
City officials face mounting pressure to address the safety concerns as subway riders continue to express unease.
