The Issue: Gov. Hochul’s decision to deploy the National Guard and state police to patrol the subway.
Three cheers for Gov. Hochul for finally doing something about the crime crisis on the MTA (“Boots under ground,” March 7).
It is about time that the politicians acknowledge that there is a problem, instead of telling us things are fine.
To make this really a win for the people of New York, the added enforcement should also be used to stop the farebeaters, as opposed to just checking bags. This would put a dent in the hundreds of millions lost annually and the need to keep raising revenues, like the congestion tax.
Larry Hootnick
Water Mill
It’s obvious that New York is on the road to anarchy. When the civilian government can’t govern, the military has to step in to restore order. This leads to martial law.
Chris Tripoulas
Manhattan
I am glad to hear that Hochul has decided to call in 750 National Guard troops and additional state police to patrol the subway system.
However, this is not going to solve the problem. Our judicial system was flushed down the toilet years ago when former Mayor Bill de Blasio was pulling the strings. What is needed are tougher laws enforced by tougher prosecutors.
Stan Siekierski, Sr.
Wappingers Falls
As an almost lifelong New Yorker, I’ve witnessed profound changes in this beloved city over the decades. It has degenerated into a leaderless, chaotic mess under successive, woke administrations. No one seems to be in charge.
We need better leaders, judges and politicians to turn this city around, or else you will see a huge wave of residents fleeing not just the city but the state as well.
Lillian Marsano
Manhattan
So instead of actually prosecuting offenders and taking them off the street, the latest bit of Democratic lunacy is calling the National Guard to combat subway crime. Usually it is Mayor Adams who comes up with these crazy ideas.
Essentially, the National Guard will be TSA agents in the subway, practicing the same stop-and-frisk techniques the Democrats called racist for years.
Rob Cerone
Manhattan
Hochul is once again wasting taxpayer money by using the National Guard and New York state troopers to do bag checks in the subway. They will be stopping working-class people, grandmas and commuters, just like the NYPD did in the past.
Donna Torres
Island Park
I’m glad to see that Hochul understands the optics of sending state police and the National Guard into the subway. But what she and Mayor Adams refuse to address is the revolving-door criminal-justice system plaguing New York.
Even with all the police, if criminals keep getting released after they are apprehended, the whole program is just a further waste of New York taxpayer dollars.
Instead of putting a band-aid on a wound here, let’s finally address the root cause: District Attorney Alvin Bragg needs to have pressure put on him to prosecute these criminals. Until then, this is all just showmanship.
Josh Miller
Manhattan
So Gov. Hochul now feels our anxiety about going on the trains? I think her anxiety is more related to her own political future.
The city and state are falling apart and now everyone is pointing to her and the mayor as the culprits. They are likely realizing that their future in politics will be limited if they do not act like they care about the people who go to work, pay taxes and are the backbone of the city.
Douglas Balin
Brooklyn
I pity the working-class people of New York, who must use the subway out of necessity. Thugs, addicts, the mentally ill and criminals infest the system.
I suppose the National Guard might do some good. However, as we have seen, many of those arrested are let loose again by judges.
So, what’s the purpose of the troops, other than window dressing?
Sallyanne Ferrero
Naples, Fla.
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