Gov to pitch bill that would ban some New Yorkers from subway
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Governor Kathy Hochul announced sweeping, and controversial, subway safety measures on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Photo by Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
By Ryan Schwach
Governor Kathy Hochul announced several sweeping subway safety measures on Wednesday, including a proposal that would temporarily ban some convicted New Yorkers from using the system.
Announced from Manhattan on Wednesday, Hochul introduced nearly half a dozen policy measures aimed at decreasing the “psychological impact” of riding the city’s subways.
Hochul said her five-point plan will increase safety for both commuters and transit workers in the wake of recent attacks like the slashing of a train conductor in Brooklyn at the end of February.
“Riding the subway, which could just simply be part of your everyday life, is filled with stress and trepidation,” she said. "My five-point plan will rid our subways of violent offenders and protect all commuters and transit workers. I am sending a message to all New Yorkers: I will not stop working to keep you safe and restore your peace of mind whenever you walk through those turnstiles."
As part of her plan, 750 National Guard troops will be deployed underground to assist the NYPD in random bag checks at stations throughout the city, and more stations will be outfitted with cameras.
She also said that she’ll soon be pushing a bill that would give judges the ability to ban individuals who are convicted of assault within the transit system from using it.
“This isn't some radical idea,” she said. “Think about if you're convicted of a DWI, a judge determines that you're a danger. Guess what? You're not riding on our roads, you're not able to drive a vehicle, you lose your license. It's the same principle right? And I expect the judges to use that discretion.”
The Eagle reached out to the Office of Court Administration about the bill, but did not receive a response before press time.
The governor said she’d like to see such a bill enacted in the coming weeks.
Hochul’s office told the Eagle that the bill will be proposed as a program bill, meaning she will submit the proposal to the legislature, where it would be sponsored by members in both chambers.
As of Wednesday, no sponsors had been identified.
Hochul also added that there is already a similar law on the books in New York, but it has loopholes.
Similar legislation was attempted during former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration related to repeated sex offenders, but nothing was signed into law.
Hochul’s proposals were quickly skewered by criminal justice advocates on Wednesday.
“This is another unfortunate example of policy making through overreaction and overreach,” said New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “These heavy-handed approaches will, like stop-and-frisk, be used to accost and profile Black and brown New Yorkers, ripping a page straight out of the Giuliani playbook. Today’s announcement fails to address long standing problems of homelessness, poverty, or access to mental health care.”
Queens Councilmember and Progressive Caucus member Tiffany Cabán said the proposals would make New Yorkers less safe.
“What’s proven to help keep people safe, healthy and out of the [criminal justice] system? A job, social services, family and friend connection etc.,” she said in a tweet. “How do we access and maintain those things? Public transportation.”
