The time has come for New Yorkers to trust the subway again

The safety of New York City’s subway system has been a topic of discussion for years, highlighted by two incidents involving Lenore Skenazy and Daniel Penny. Skenazy gained notoriety in 2008 for allowing her 9-year-old son to ride the subway alone, while Penny made headlines in 2023 for restraining a repeat offender, Jordan Neely, in a fatal altercation.

Skenazy’s decision to let her son navigate the subway system alone was based on the belief that children need independence to develop essential life skills. The subway, in her eyes, represented a unique opportunity for kids to grow in confidence and experience the world without constant supervision.

During Skenazy’s time, New York City’s subway system was considered relatively safe, with record low crime rates thanks to initiatives like broken windows policing. This approach, popularized by Mayor Rudy Giuliani and continued by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, targeted minor offenses to maintain public order and prevent more serious crimes.

However, the city’s safety landscape shifted with the election of Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014. Proactive policing was reduced, stop-question-and-frisk policies were ended, and the message of leniency towards low-level crimes was reinforced. This shift led to an increase in subway-related assaults and overall crime rates.

In 2023, Daniel Penny’s intervention in a violent subway incident highlighted the need for decisive action in the face of rising crime. His brave act underscored the failure of city leadership to create a secure environment for all subway passengers.

Fortunately, recent efforts by the NYPD, such as the establishment of a Quality-of-Life Division, have shown promise in addressing low-level offenses and improving overall safety in the subway system. While progress is being made, there is still work to be done to restore public confidence and ensure a safe environment for all riders, especially children.

As New York City works towards a safer subway system, it is essential to return to the principles of public safety that once made it a beacon of trust and security. By prioritizing order and addressing disorder, the city can once again become a place where children can explore and thrive, just as Lenore Skenazy envisioned years ago.