Governor Kathy Hochul is facing a funding crisis as she races to secure the $154 million needed for the surge of NYPD officers on overnight subway trains. Despite the first wave of cops already hitting the tunnels this week, only half of the required funds have been secured. Hochul has requested the remaining $77 million in her budget plan unveiled on Tuesday, pending approval from state lawmakers in Albany.
The lack of funding leaves New York City potentially responsible for covering the costs if legislators do not approve the additional funds. In the meantime, the NYPD may have to front the overtime expenses for the 300 officers who will patrol the trains during the six-month surge.
During a news conference following the budget proposal announcement, Hochul mentioned that they are discussing covering the overtime costs for the officers involved in the subway patrols. The governor had recently acknowledged the increase in violent subway crime during her “State of the State” address and announced plans to station NYPD officers inside every overnight subway train between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., with the state covering the expenses. An additional 750 officers will also be stationed on platforms and stations around the clock.
While the details of the surge plan and its costs initially remained vague, Hochul eventually revealed that the first $77 million would be funded from the current state budget. Despite the funding uncertainties, the surge commenced on Monday with Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta providing more information on how the initiative will unfold.
The initial phase of the surge began on the A, G, J, and L lines, with two officers assigned to each train as planned. Chief Gulotta reported that the operation was successful, with plans to increase the number of officers to a total of 300 over time. MTA conductors will inform passengers of the presence of police officers on the trains, and officers will move between platforms and trains at each stop.
Prior to the surge’s commencement, a 39-year-old man was assaulted on a D train in what appeared to be an unprovoked attack near the Dekalb Avenue stop. The victim sustained injuries to the chest and was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
As the funding issues for the NYPD surge on overnight subway trains continue to be addressed, the safety and security of passengers remain a top priority for Governor Hochul and city officials.
