With So Many Fearful of Riding Subways, Mayor Adams Has a Plan

As a lifelong New Yorker, Mayor Adams knows the importance of maintaining safety in the subway system.Photo by(The author)

By trying a new approach, the city hopes to make the subway system safer

New York City — Ever sat patiently waiting for your train to come at night? If so, you're most likely familiar with that anxiety usually accompanying having a stranger's eyes glued on you.

Yikes!

In 2024, NYC's subway stations need a serious makeover. After all, according to a report, "Only 49 percent [of New Yorkers] feel safe during the day" while inside a subway station. At night, that percentage drops considerably.

The main reason for concern is no secret: subway stations serve as a "home" for the homeless, especially during winter.

Because two-thirds of homeless New Yorkers suffer from mental health issues, this clearly serves as a major area of concern. This explains why Mayor Adams and city officials are trying a new solution to combat an old problem.

Known as the Subway Co-Response Outreach, or SCOUT, this team roams the city's subway platforms and stations searching for severely mentally ill people.

In short, the governor and mayor both hope this new approach, along with increased police presence, will help to restore safety to the subway system.