MTA Approves Controversial Hiring Of 500 Additional Police Officers

The MTA board voted 9-3 Wednesday to add hundreds of police officers to the subway system.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo first called for their hiring in September to stop fare evaders and step up safety.

The MTA says the 500 additional uniformed officers are necessary to combat a rise in crime on the subways.

However, the plan sparked controversy, and protesters fear it will unfairly target people of color.

There were four separate outbursts during Wednesday’s board meeting, and five people were issued summonses for disorderly conduct.

“The goal is to do this on a racially non-discriminatory basis,” MTA Chairman Pat Foye said.

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Earlier this week, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed the plan in a three-page letter, tweeting, “Punishing the poor does not create a safer environment.”

The MTA snapped back, saying, “We will not engage in politics when it comes to public safety.” The agency went on to say hate crimes in the subway are up more than 50%, robberies are up 11.5% and aggravated harassment is up 167%.

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