At 7:30 a.m. Thursday at Transit District 20 in Briarwood, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny greeted some of his detectives who are joining the surge of officers in the subway system. They stood alongside officers from the transit bureau.

“All the chiefs are riding the train today. We’re all with you. I see some detective bureau brass there,” Kenny told the officers. “Just everybody be safe. Look after each other. I know it’s a different environment down here. It’s all new to me as well. So just be careful. If you have any questions, just lean on your transit brothers and sisters.”

What You Need To Know

  • After a surge of law enforcement amid a rapid rise in crime, top NYPD brass fanned out in the subways Thursdays to show support for the transit cops, as well as interact with riders, MTA workers and the media

  • Transit officers have different radio codes, know what's going on in every station and every line. Some spend their entire careers underground because they love the interaction with riders

  • Early numbers show the surge of police may be helping drive down subway crime

Captain Randall Yan just came from patrol to be the new executive officer of the transit district. He said he appreciates the support from NYPD brass.

“[It’s] almost learning a new job,” Yan said. “All the radio codes are different, and everything is just different, learning the lines, learning the crimes, learning how many commands we cover, especially train stations, the platforms, the mezzanines, what line goes where.”

The officers under his command go out prepared, able to recognize people the NYPD says are known to the department. People they’ve had to arrest repeatedly. The NYPD advised that officers may be on their phones for this process.

“A general email goes out to every single officer within transit in every single district in the city,” Lt. Mateus Tkaczuk said. “So this way they’re able to look at who’s wanted, who’s a prolific offender.”

It’s not just about fighting crime. Transit cops also help riders with directions and even MetroCards.

“I just say ‘good morning, good morning, how’s your day,’” said transit officer Selina Shorter, a five-year veteran of the department. “And they just open up. Like hey, especially if you see the same kids all the time. They’re like oh my God, Officer Shorter.”

“I enjoy what I do,” said 10-year veteran transit detective Lennard Cox. “I enjoy talking to the customers and helping them with their problems and issues.”

Early numbers show the surge of police may be helping drive down subway crime. In January, subway crime was up nearly 50% compared to the same period in 2023. Now, it’s only up 8% year to date compared to last year. Chief Kenny said it’s about so much more than the numbers.

“It’s quite impressive. It really is, the way they’re really interacting with the commuters and the public,” Kenny said. “It’s really refreshing to see. It’s making me feel young again.”