SENATOR GOLDEN AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER BRENNAN ANNOUNCE NEW STATE LAW MONITORING CRIME ON NYC TRANSIT SYSTEM

Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) and Assemblyman James Brennan (D-Brooklyn) today are announcing legislation they sponsored, S.5194/A.4301A, has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, requiring the reporting of criminal activity on the New York City transit system.  

The new law will require the New York City Police Department to report to the New York City Council criminal conduct that has occurred on subway and buses. The report will include the police precinct, the type of crime, and the specific subway line or bus route. These reports shall be maintained and transmitted electronically, then compiled into monthly reports which will be available to City officials and to the public on the internet.

Senator Golden stated, “The information gathered will help direct resources to target patterns of criminal activity on a certain bus or train routes. I am confident that this new law will bring about a change in the way in which we fight crime on our transit system, making it safer for all those who travel. I applaud my colleague Assemblyman Brennan for his leadership and partnership on this bill, and thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing this bill into law.”

Assemblymember Brennan stated, “The Governor’s signing of A4310a is a tremendous step towards providing the public with specificity regarding the types of crimes taking place on NYC subways and buses. Now, criminal statistics will be released to the public relating to the type of offenses, complaints, and criminal arrests. The information will be reported by the  location the incident occurred, both by specific police precinct, and subway line or bus route in the Metropolitan region. This bill will provide law enforcement with the information they need to allocate resources and stamp out this criminal activity.  We have to change the culture that excuses sexual harassment as an annoyance and instead treat it like the crime that it is.”

“The abuse inflicted upon bus and subway workers is rampant and shameful,” TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen said. “The MTA and the city must do a better job safeguarding the men and women who move New York. The detailed and public reports, required by the legislation, will lead to a better understanding of dangers faced by both riders and workers, and hopefully, result in better strategies to protect them.”

Executive Director for the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault Mary Haviland states, “The requirements of the new law have far reaching effects for victims of crimes and felony offenses including various forms of sexual violence. Advocates will now have access to information on felony crimes committed on MTA lines including the types, geographic location, and frequency of these crimes.  This will provide critical insights as to where the resources should be effectively placed and how to best help victims of these crimes.  Advocates all appreciate the efforts that the Legislature and the Governor’s office have committed to reducing sexual violence.”

"The Downstate Coalition celebrates the work of Assemblymember Brennan and Senator Golden, and thanks Governor Cuomo for signing this bill into law. This will be an important step toward greater transparency, and will allow both law enforcement and victim service programs to better understand the  needs of crime victims in New York City and state." said Christopher E. Bromson, co-chair Downstate Coalition for Crime Victims Legislative Committee.