New York City is confronting growing public safety concerns after police data revealed a notable increase in serious crimes across its transit system, including the first underground murder recorded in 2026. The developments have reignited debates about subway security, policing strategy, and the long‑term wellbeing of tens of millions of daily riders.
Spike in Major Transit Crimes
According to the latest figures from the New York Police Department (NYPD), major crimes on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) subways and buses, encompassing murder, rape, robbery, and assault, have risen approximately 17% in the first weeks of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
- Robberies have surged by roughly 58%.
- Assaults have increased by about 9%.
- 246 total major incidents have been reported in early 2026, up from 210 in the first weeks of 2025.
This snapshot of transit crime growth has alarmed many daily riders who depend on subways and buses to reach work, school, and errands. For many New Yorkers, the subway is more than infrastructure, it’s an indispensable artery of city life and commerce.
First Subway Homicide in 2026
The recent data also reflects the first subway homicide of the year, occurring on February 13, 2026. A 41‑year‑old man was fatally shot at the 170th Street station serving the B and D lines in the Bronx. Police identified 27‑year‑old Alberto Frias as the suspected shooter, who remains at large.
The incident has shaken commuters and local residents alike, with many expressing heightened concerns about personal safety when using the city’s public transit system, particularly during off‑peak hours and in outer borough stations.
NYPD and City Response
NYPD officials have maintained that overall crime in early 2026, outside of the recent uptick, remains comparatively lower than years before the COVID‑19 pandemic. However, the recent increases in specific categories such as robbery and assault have pushed transit safety to the forefront of public discourse.
In response, the police department has bolstered its presence underground by adding roughly 100 officers daily to patrol subway stations and platforms, a move aimed at deterring crime and reassuring riders.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani’s administration also temporarily paused subway ejections during a recent cold snap in an effort to protect vulnerable New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, a decision that some critics argue contributed to an uptick in confrontations and disorder within the transit network.
Public Reaction and Transit Culture
Reactions from straphangers, commuters who regularly ride the subway, have been mixed. Some residents attribute the crime increase to a combination of factors such as untreated mental illness, homelessness, and substance use, emphasizing the complex roots of public safety issues in one of the world’s busiest transit systems.
Others argue that more aggressive policing and enhanced security measures are necessary to protect riders and restore confidence. Amid these concerns, civic groups and advocacy organizations are calling for broader investments in mental health services, shelter capacity, and public‑space safety initiatives.
Context Within Broader City Challenges
The transit crime concerns intersect with wider policy discussions facing New York City in 2026. The city continues to wrestle with affordability pressures and infrastructure challenges, spotlighted in recent economic and budget outlook reports that outline inequities and fiscal constraints for New York policymakers.
Coupled with ongoing housing code enforcement efforts, such as the city’s expanded Alternative Enforcement Program targeting the 250 most distressed apartment buildings, public safety in transit spaces adds another dimension to discussions about quality of life and urban resilience.
Why This Matters
The rise in transit crime and the subway homicide mark a pivotal moment for New York City officials and transit stakeholders. With more than five million riders using the subway daily on average in pre‑pandemic years, ensuring safety underground is essential not only to public confidence but also to economic dynamism and social equity.
Commuters, business owners, and civic leaders alike are watching closely to see whether recent data represents a short‑term fluctuation or an emerging trend requiring sustained policy intervention.
As City Hall, Albany, and the NYPD continue to refine their approach, the safety of millions of New Yorkers and visitors remains at stake, making this a defining issue for the city’s present and future.
