Stop and Frisk ramped up to 11: NY Gov Hochul says subway riders who refuse bag ... trends now
New York Governor Kathy Hochul told subway riders who refuse to submit to bag checks to 'go home.'
Her comments came as she defended stationing 750 national guard members at the Big Apple's busiest stations in a bid to clamp down on the rampant violence rocking the network. The guard members will be checking passengers' bags for weapons as they enter the system.
Talking to Fox5, Hochul was asked what passengers who did not want their belonging searched should do.
'Go home,' she answered bluntly. 'We're not going to search you—you can say no. But you're not taking the subway.'
Hochul was pressed on the five-point plan she announced on Wednesday aimed at tackling the spike in violent subway crimes.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul told subway riders who refuse to submit to bag checks to 'go home'
Her comments came as she defended stationing 750 national guard members at the Big Apple's busiest stations in a bid to clamp down on the violent crimes rocking the network
Hochul was pressed on the five-point plan she announced on Wednesday aimed at tackling the spike violent subway crimes
Hochul has partnered with Mayor Eric Adams, who announced he was bringing back bag checks for subway riders on Wednesday
She has partnered with Mayor Eric Adams, who announced he was bringing back bag checks for subway riders on Wednesday after a 13 percent crime spike.
Bag checks were first brought in on the subway following the 2005 London bombings.
The policy appears reminiscent of New York's previous stop-and-frisk searches on the street, which were ruled unconstitutional almost a decade ago.
'My No. 1 priority is the safety of all New Yorkers,' Hochul said.
'If people are anxious in any aspect of their lives, particularly the lifeblood of our region—downstate does not function without a healthy subway system that people have confidence in—I have to do this for them.'
Recent criminal activity on the trains making headlines include a cellist who was bludgeoned over the head by a stranger wielding a water bottle as he performed, as well as a shooting that killed one and injured five others.
Hochul further cited a subway conductor who had his throat slashed as among the 'fever' sweeping the transport system. The conductor survived thanks to the quick thinking of a doctor who was on board.
She also mentioned another MTA conductor who was hit on the head with a glass bottle as further evidence of the dire
