Ending the Homeless Humanitarian Crisis in the Subways

• Expand mental health response teams to address individuals in crisis and direct them to immediate & appropriate care.

• Enforce MTA and transit rules that prohibit loitering, harassment, and unsafe behavior for those victImizing riders and vulnerable homeless folks.

• Ensure individuals in need are referred to immediate and effective medical service, while maintaining public order and protecting commuters.

 

Reinstate the NYPD Homeless Outreach Unit 

• As Mayor, Curtis Sliwa will reinstate and expand the NYPD's Homeless Outreach Unit to ensure the safety of both the homeless population and everyday New Yorkers. These specially trained officers will be paired with licensed mental health professionals to build trust, understand each homeless individual’s story, and determine the best path toward care and stability.

• The focus will be on compassion, connection, and accountability. Nonviolent individuals will be offered direct support and safe shelter options, while emotionally disturbed persons who pose a danger to themselves or others will be transported to psychiatric care facilities.

• To meet this need, we will invest in hiring more psychiatric nurses across NYC’s public hospitals and create new incentives to attract skilled mental health workers. The goal is to protect the vulnerable, restore safety in public spaces, and offer real pathways off the street, with dignity and urgency.

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Strengthening NYPD Transit Bureau Presence

• Deploy more NYPD Transit Bureau officers in subway stations and on trains—not just near turnstiles or in offices.

• Ensure that transit cops are actively patrolling subway cars during peak and off-peak hours.

• Create a more visible and consistent police presence to deter crime and protect riders.

• Emphasize intrusive policing—proactive enforcement of rules, identification of known offenders, and a visible deterrent presence in problem areas.

 

Combating Fare Evasion & Disorder

• Enforce fare evasion laws aggressively—fare-beaters are often connected to larger patterns of lawlessness.

• Implement targeted enforcement at high-volume transfer points and hotspots.

• Support station agents and MTA staff in reporting and responding to fare evasion and misconduct.

 

Creating a Specialized Subway Crime Task Force

• Establish a permanent, full-time NYPD task force focused on habitual violent offenders and serial crime patterns in the subway.

• Use data-driven policing to target chronic problem areas and repeat perpetrators.

• Coordinate efforts with District Attorneys to pursue timely prosecution of subway crimes.

 

Improving Transit Bureau Training & Recruitment

• Recruit new officers directly into the NYPD Transit Bureau from the Police Academy.

• Provide specialized instruction in transit policing, including subway-specific tactics, surveillance, crisis response, and de-escalation in confined spaces.

• Create a dedicated career path for transit-focused officers to grow expertise and leadership within the bureau.

• Incorporate flexible shift options into Transit Bureau deployment to ensure consistency while reducing burnout and late-shift fatigue.

 

Auditing Subway-Focused Outreach & Nonprofits Hired by NYC to Reduce Crime

• Audit nonprofits currently receiving funding for subway and street outreach to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and homeless are the receiving proper care the city funds.

• Defund and replace any program that fails to reduce disorder or engage those in need of services.

• Support performance-based contracts and community-driven solutions.

 

Investing in Subway Design & Surveillance of Criminal Activity

• Improve lighting in stations, stairwells, and platforms.

• Expand CCTV coverage and integrate surveillance systems with NYPD intelligence.

• Upgrade turnstile security to prevent jumping and unauthorized access.

• Redesign station layouts to reduce blind spots and enhance visibility for both riders and officers.

 

Reversing the Post-COVID Crime Surge

• Crime in the subway system surged after COVID lockdowns, fueled by failed policies like bail reform and discovery law changes.

• Curtis will lead a long-term effort to roll back these harmful policies and stabilize public safety underground.

• Curtis will oppose all attempts to remove NYPD oversight of the transit system and ensure transit policing remains a priority—not an afterthought.