Guard Troops, Cops To Be Deployed On New York Subways: Governor

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is reinforcing security on New York City's subways with state National Guard troops and additional police in response to a rise in violence.

A total of 1,000 state personnel, including 250 state and transit police officers, will bolster the New York Police Department's presence. Governor Hochul has also directed 750 Guard members from the Joint Task Force Empire Shield to support this initiative.

Their duties will include patrols and random bag checks, as well as enforcing a new rule against violent commuters. After a series of incidents, including shootings and physical assaults, major subway crimes have surged by nearly 50 percent since last January.

Recently, the NYPD increased its subway forces by an extra 1,000 officers. Following a fatal shooting that occurred on February 12, leaving one dead and five injured, the effort for heightened safety continues under the guidance of Major General Ray Shields of the New York National Guard.