Despite recent claims by New York Governor Kathy Hochul that subway safety has improved, a series of violent incidents has raised serious concerns. Shortly before Christmas, Gov. Hochul posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that crime was down and ridership up thanks to deployed National Guard, NYPD support, and added subway cameras. However, around the same time, several disturbing events unfolded, including a woman being set on fire on an F train, a man pushed in front of a moving 1 train, and reports of robberies by Venezuelan gang members.

Guatemalan national Sebastian Zapeta was charged with murder after allegedly setting a homeless woman on fire while she slept on an F train. In another incident, 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins allegedly shoved a man onto the subway tracks at the W 18th Street Station. The victim miraculously survived due to falling into a space between the tracks. Hawkins was later apprehended. Adding to these incidents, two separate stabbings were reported on New Year's Day, and 22 members of the Tren de Aragua migrant gang were discovered during a raid in the Bronx.

Gov. Hochul maintains that her five-point plan has led to a 10% decrease in overall subway crime since March 2023. She also announced the deployment of 250 more National Guard members. The NYPD's December report showed a 15% decrease in subway crime for November and a 6% year-to-date decrease. While these statistics suggest improvement, public perception of safety remains a key concern. Many New Yorkers have expressed feelings of unease and called for greater action to address the ongoing violence in the subway system.