NYPD Releases New Transit Crime Data as Patrols Increase

Transit felonies and assaults down, but robberies up 15% so far this year

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:39pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a subway token or transit card against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the NYPD's focus on transit crime and security.A stark, gritty image of a transit token or card highlights the NYPD's efforts to improve safety and security in New York City's subway system.NYC Today

The NYPD has released new transit crime statistics, showing that year-to-date transit felonies are down 1.5% and assaults are down 5.5%, but robberies have increased by 15% compared to the same period last year. The NYPD is responding by adding 175 additional officers to the transit system, on top of the 750 added by the Governor, in an effort to improve safety and the perception of safety for riders.

Why it matters

Transit safety is a major concern for New Yorkers, with many experiencing day-to-day discomfort and a sense of lawlessness on trains. While the overall crime statistics show improvements, the rise in robberies is concerning and highlights the ongoing challenges the NYPD faces in maintaining a safe and secure transit system.

The details

The NYPD's latest transit crime data shows that year-to-date transit felonies are down 1.5% and assaults are down 5.5% compared to the same period last year. However, robberies on transit have increased by 15%, from 118 to 136 incidents. NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph Gulotta attributes the rise in robberies to the unusually cold weather this winter. To address the issue, the NYPD is adding an additional 175 officers to the transit system, on top of the 750 added by the Governor. The officers will be focused on patrolling trains and platforms to improve safety and the perception of safety for riders.

  • So far this year, transit felonies are down 1.5% and assaults are down 5.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
  • Robberies on transit are up 15% so far this year, increasing from 118 to 136 incidents.

The players

NYPD

The New York City Police Department, responsible for law enforcement and public safety in the city.

Joseph Gulotta

NYPD Chief of Transit, overseeing the department's efforts to improve safety and security in the city's transit system.

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What they’re saying

“My own family takes the subway every single day and coworkers, I listen to them. And that gives me a good sense of where and where we need to go and where we need to improve.”

— Joseph Gulotta, NYPD Chief of Transit

“You can see our officers on the trains inspecting trains, riding the trains. That's the key. We want to night we want to make sure we have officers on the train where we need them, where the crimes are occurring.”

— Joseph Gulotta, NYPD Chief of Transit

“When you see that, it really is an upsetting crime. But when you look at how we deployed and how we've looked at crime, our officers were right right there.”

— Joseph Gulotta, NYPD Chief of Transit

What’s next

The NYPD plans to continue monitoring transit crime data and adjusting their deployment of officers to address any emerging trends or hotspots. They will also work to improve the perception of safety for riders, who have expressed concerns about disorderly behavior and a sense of lawlessness on trains.

The takeaway

While the overall transit crime statistics show improvements, the rise in robberies is a concerning trend that the NYPD is working to address through increased patrols and a focus on improving the perception of safety for riders. This highlights the ongoing challenges the department faces in maintaining a secure and welcoming transit system for all New Yorkers.