When it comes to safety and public transit, there's no question that subway surfing  is a major concern.

"I think I've seen it two or three times over the past few months," said Queens resident Josh Powers. "The surfers will get on the train there and then ride it above ground."

"It's a serious issue. I'm worried about these kids," he added.

Despite the city launching a public safety campaign last year, the trend has only gotten worse.

In 2023, the city saw a total of five subway surfing deaths, and this year through Oct. 27, there have been six. The most recent victim was a 13-year-old girl.

There's also been a more than 50% increase in arrests this year compared to last year.

"It's been alarming," said Councilwoman Selena Brooks-Powers, who chairs the City Council's Transportation Committee, which On Monday morning is holding a joint oversight hearing in coordination with the Committee on Public Safety, Commmittee on Education, and the Committee on Children and Youth.

Council members hope to better understand why subway surfing is occurring and how the MTA, NYPD, DOE, and Department of Youth and Community Development are addressing the trend.

"We do know that the MTA launched a joint effort in terms of a PSA campaign. We want to know how that's been working," Brooks-Powers said. "The administration has been very big on drones and using that to fill in the gaps. We want to understand what that has been able to do."

As to what else could be done, Queens residents who live near the elevated 7 train offered some ideas.

"Social media should do more to try to keep these videos from going viral; I think that’s spurring them on: it's this hope of instant fame," Josh Powers said.

"It's crazy," said Queens resident Chris Walker. "And it’s amazing to me people can go between cars while they’re moving."

Queens resident Sheila Lewandowski said a rise in a dangerous activity like subway surfing must mean the city is "not providing other things for our young people with all this energy."

"So let's increase recreation and recreation facilities that are accessible to everyone," Lewandowski said.,