NYPD transit officers demonstrated new protocols Tuesday in the Union Square subway station that are being implemented in subway stations across the city. It comes after a man allegedly stabbed four homeless people along the A line over the weekend.

Two of them died.

Now an increased police presence is meant to reassure New Yorkers it’s safe to ride the trains.

What You Need To Know

  • NYPD is increasing police presence in subways following multiple stabbings

  • Transit officers demonstrated new protocols Tuesday

  • This comes a day after Cuomo and the MTA demanded that the city do more about subway crime

“The subways been a scary place for a few months now," said subway rider Taylor Dietrich.

According to the NYPD Transit Department, an additional 644 officers will be deployed both on platforms and on trains throughout the subway system.

The officers in some cases will be checking in with conductors of trains, pulling into stations to see if anything is going on, and do a quick inspection before waving the trains off.

“The whole process is supposed to be quick so we don’t hold up the train because we know that has an effect on trains throughout the system, so we need it to be thorough and efficient," said Captain Anthony Guadagno.

The NYPD arranged a demonstration a day after Governor Andrew Cuomo and the MTA demanded that the de Blasio administration do more to crack down on violent subway crime.

They want nearly 1,000 more officers assigned to the transit system, on top of the additional cops already announced.

Still, some commuters say the new protocols being displayed here will at least give them more peace of mind.

“I think we definitely need a lot more safety on the trains, the trains haven’t been safe throughout the entire pandemic and even beforehand," said straphanger Grace Abshire.

NYPD said if officers encounter an emergency, they will hold the train in question, and take necessary action; either to try and stop the situation or call for assistance.

“Crime is down in New York City, in the New York City transit system, but one incident is one too many and if you’re that victim you don’t feel that safety and security and that’s why our uniformed presence is so critical," said NYPD Chief of Transit Kathleen O’Reilly.

Officials said this surge in police presence will be in place for the foreseeable future.