NY's Gov. Hochul Deployed the National Guard to New York City's Subways; Let's check their PROGRESS...
Some suspect nefarious motives after the Big Apple's infamous subway system got a partial camo makeover due to crime spikes, while others want some updates.
The governor said she would deploy 750 members of the National Guard to the subways to assist the NYPD with bag checks at entrances to busy train stations. A string of violent crimes tied to one of New York City’s signature hallmarks was terrible optics for the state.
"For people who are thinking of bringing a gun or knife on the subway, at least this creates a deterrent effect,"the Democrat told a news conference. "They might be thinking, 'You know what, it just may not be worth it because I listened to the mayor and I listened to the governor.'"
Though violent crimes put residents on edge, the governor's decision to deploy the National Guard was met with both support and criticism. Some argued that the move was necessary to ensure the safety of subway riders, while others argued that the New York government allowed the situation in NYC to become terrible, in order to justify a major power grab. There was growing fear that deploying the National Guard could lead to de facto martial law and a thriving police state in the city's transit system.
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After issuing her order, Hochul modified it to roll back the subway law enforcement’s use of rifles. The internet immediately flooded with media coverage of the rifle-carrying National Guard members keeping watch, paired with civil libertarians’ concerns on the militarization of public transit, making the overall situation’s optics strongly unfavorable for her. Hochul’s swift action suggests that she and her administration tread carefully, so as not to overstep New Yorkers’ limits in too egregious fashion.
As the National Guard and other law enforcement worked to increase security in the NYC subway, whether this approach would effectively address the root causes of crime in the city remained to be seen. The people of NYC doubled as lab rats for a government experiment that may one day come to a subway system near you. Now that some time has passed, early results have arrived.
During a press conference last month, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD boasted lower overall crime numbers in March. Most major crimes were down, though felony assaults were up over 5%. Crime on the subways was down by about a quarter, thanks to the increased police presence. Overall subway arrests are up over 50% versus last year, with massive increases in gun and fare-evasion arrests.
This presents an interesting moral dilemma. On the one hand, the militarization of the NYC subway system seems to have worked according to the “data”. Arrests are up and crime is down. On the other hand, this marks the successful return to a level of militarization New Yorkers haven’t seen since the aftermath of 9/11. Perhaps a tragic symptom of New York’s new normal?
We the People must remain vigilant as we grapple with balancing liberty and authority (or “freedom and security”). It is as if we are now locked in a political tug-of-war for the future of America. Regardless of what happens, thanks to grassroots citizen journalism like you find right here at America Mission, I believe “We” have good reason to be optimistic about America’s future.
My name is Mike Melo and I have made America my mission this past year. I sincerely hope you choose to join me and so many others who have decided that the Mission is America.
