October 23, 2017

Statement from MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota

The Mayor was asked about the homeless sleeping on the subways and one of his first words in response was "MTA." New Yorkers get the Mayor is making every attempt to distance himself from the Transit Authority, but they aren’t fools. The fact is that since 1995 the NYPD has been the police force charged with enforcement in the subway system. The MTA board gave Mayor Giuliani the authority to consolidate the Transit Police within the NYPD, giving the City primary jurisdiction. That's a fact. Recently, the MTA has repeatedly asked the NYPD to help the expanding number of homeless people in the system find shelter outside of the trains and stations. The NYPD needs to enhance its homeless outreach efforts in the subways. We all know that homeless people need help; clean shelters, job training, mental health services, and leaving them on the trains is degrading for all. The response is not to defend or excuse the presence of the homeless, but to get them the help they desperately need. Every New York City Mayor since Koch has realized this except our current Mayor. We again are asking the NYPD to step up their presence and increase enforcement and the city must stop running from its responsibility. We hear from subway riders all day long and their opinion is unanimous: Mayor, fund the subway repair plan and get the sleeping homeless off the ‎trains. It's the Mayor's job.

###
MTA New York City Transit • MTA Long Island Rail Road • MTA Metro-North Railroad • MTA Bridges and Tunnels • MTA Construction & Development • MTA Bus Company • MTA Police Department

2 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Media Contact: (212) 878-7440


This message was sent by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) press release distribution system. If you would like to customize which agencies you receive communications from, stop receiving emails, or discontinue receiving emails from the MTA altogether, please manage your preferences or unsubscribe at this link: manage your preferences or unsubscribe.

Copyright © 2024 New York State. All rights reserved. | Our Privacy Policy