New York State announced on Oct. 26 that major felonies on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Metro-North and the Staten Island Railway fell 20.1% from January through August compared with the same period last year, the lowest level in four years. Crimes targeting employees and MTA police also declined, to 107.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Monday, Oct. 26, that major felonies on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Metro-North Railroad and the Staten Island Railway (SIR) fell 20.1% from January through August this year compared with the same period last year. The state said felonies on the commuter railroads and the SIR are at their lowest level in four years.
The tally covers four major crimes: burglary, felony assault, grand larceny and robbery. From January through August last year, they had fallen 16.4% from the previous year, so this year continues a second straight year of double-digit declines. Compared with January through August 2024, burglary fell 50%, grand larceny fell 18.1%, car theft at station parking lots fell 42.9% and robbery fell 39.3%. The state said no rapes have been reported on the LIRR, Metro-North or SIR since 2023.
Crimes targeting employees and MTA police totaled 107 from January through August this year, the fewest since 2023. That is down 55.4% from 240 in the same period of 2024 and down 10.8% from 120 last year.
The LIRR and Metro-North use a joint security strategy in which train crews use tablets and mobile ticketing devices to share information in real time on repeat fare evaders, suspects in crimes against employees and missing-person alerts. Comparing the first half of this year with the first half of last year, passenger disturbances fell 40%, fare disputes fell 47% and requests for police assistance fell 12%. The LIRR is installing 360-degree panoramic cameras at stations, rail yards and grade crossings, and about a year ago the SIR replaced its entire fleet with new R211 trains equipped with security cameras.
MTA Police Chief Thomas Taffe credited the support of Gov. Hochul and MTA Chair Janno Lieber, as well as the efforts of the police force. Lieber said riders cite safety as their top concern and that funding for more police officers, cameras and mental health support has produced results. LIRR President Rob Free said customer safety ratings have consistently stayed in the "80 to 90 percent range."