[Correspondent Diary] "No More" New York Evicts Homeless People from Subway

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Seulgina Jo] "No more smoking, no more drugs, no more sleeping. No more barbecuing in the subway. You can no longer do whatever you want."

On the 18th (local time), Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York, spoke firmly at a press conference held at Fulton Street Station in Lower Manhattan. A former police officer, Mayor Adams declared that he would no longer tolerate homeless people smoking, using drugs, or sleeping in the subway. He emphasized, "That era is over now," urging people to "swipe your MetroCard, board the train, and get off at your destination." The New York Police Department (NYPD) will strictly enforce these subway usage rules starting next week.

◆Why New York Announced Subway Safety Enhancement Measures

Why did the newly inaugurated New York mayor hold a major press conference at a subway station to announce 'subway safety enhancement measures' and start pushing out homeless people? This reflects the significant anxiety New Yorkers feel about subway safety. The subway usage rules Mayor Adams mentioned are actually very basic: no smoking or drug use in the subway, no occupying more than one seat or lying down to sleep, no barbecuing, and no aggressive behavior toward other passengers.

However, when using the subway in Manhattan, one often encounters such scenes. About one in three times, you might see a homeless person occupying 4-5 seats lying down to sleep. Sometimes, people sleep on the floor. Occasionally, some approach passengers asking for "just a dollar, even a quarter," or express anger toward the world with F-word curses. People usually try to avoid them cautiously, but the unease remains until they get off the subway, as these individuals might react aggressively if they feel disrespected.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Serious crimes in the subway have also surged. Last month, the death of Asian woman Michelle Go, who was pushed onto the tracks by a mentally ill homeless man at Times Square Station, shocked locals deeply. Shortly after, a similar incident was attempted in Lower Manhattan. On the 17th, a day before the announcement, a man in his 20s was stabbed by a presumed homeless person at a subway station in Manhattan's East Village. Asamad Nashi (25), arrested for allegedly murdering a Korean-American woman in a Chinatown apartment, is also a homeless individual who caused multiple problems in New York subway stations.

What frightens New Yorkers using the subway is the possibility that they themselves could become victims. Mayor Adams said, "The subway is New York's lifeline," and attributed the recent rise in crime to "an increase in homelessness due to the pandemic." Most of the subway crimes that surged after the pandemic were committed by homeless or mentally ill individuals, but management of these groups has been inadequate. Local media estimate that about 1,600 homeless people effectively reside in the New York subway system.

Kevin Young, who was attacked with a knife at Manhattan's Union Square Station, told the New York Post, "Subway crime is out of control." Michael Alkazaar, a former NYPD officer and criminology professor, said, "For criminals, the subway offers many targets and it's easy to avoid detection." According to the NYPD, there were 461 serious crimes in the New York subway last year. There were 8 murders, the highest in 25 years. Assault-related serious crimes increased by 25% compared to 2019, and incidents of pushing people onto the tracks rose from 20 to 30.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

◆Mayor Adams: "Arresting Problems, Not People"

Mayor Adams emphasized that the subway safety enhancement plan he unveiled is about "arresting problems," not "arresting people."

Starting next week, police will prohibit drug use and smoking in the subway and will remove homeless people lying down on subway seats. The plan also includes providing mental health services and permanent housing services to homeless individuals with mental illness or substance abuse issues.

To this end, teams composed of police officers, mental health professionals, and social workers will be deployed. At least 30 teams will be stationed citywide, focusing especially on areas with high crime rates or heavy passenger traffic. Mental health professionals will be granted the authority to diagnose homeless individuals and, if deemed a danger to themselves or others, to enforce involuntary hospitalization. It is reported that New York City has already posted recruitment notices for related experts.

Additionally, New York City confirmed that high-ranking officials from city and state government agencies will hold weekly subway safety meetings to devise immediate response measures. NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said, "We will focus on stations and subway lines where passenger numbers increase or crime reports are received," emphasizing, "The goal is to reduce and prevent crime." Governor Kathy Hochul, Commissioner Sewell, and other responsible officials attended the press conference.

Mayor Adams expects this plan to restore public safety in the subway and "revitalize New York, which has been subdued since the pandemic." He said, "Allowing homeless people to live in the subway is inhumane. Passengers and public transit workers deserve a clean, orderly, and safe environment," adding, "We can no longer turn a blind eye to this growing problem." He also noted, "People express fear about using the subway," and promised, "We will ensure that such fear no longer becomes New York's reality."

New York Mayor Eric Adams (right) and New York Governor Kathy Hochul [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

However, local media have criticized the plan announced that day for lacking details and schedules. Civic groups such as the Coalition for the Homeless welcomed the mental health and housing support services at the city and state levels but pointed out, "Repeating failed past policies will not end the suffering of homeless people lying in the subway." They noted that mental health and housing services for the homeless have been chronically insufficient. Some critics argue that these measures might treat mentally ill individuals as criminals indiscriminately. Peter Malvan of the Center for Urban Justice expressed concern that forcibly removing homeless people from the subway could be "illegal and a path to criminalization."

On the afternoon the city announced the extensive subway safety enhancement plan, subway platforms in Manhattan were seen staffed with at least two employees and police officers at each station, unlike usual. An Asian woman passing through Times Square Station, where Michelle Go died, said, "I don't think subway safety will be restored by this plan alone, but having staff and police everywhere makes me feel less anxious than usual." As Mayor Adams said that day, the subway is New York's "lifeline" and "artery." We hope Mayor Adams' card, facing his first test of securing 'public safety' since taking office, will succeed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.