NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell issued a loud and clear message to fare evaders on Monday: “There’s no more freebies anymore!”
Chell made the statement during a press conference at the 125th Street-Lenox Avenue subway station on March 25 as police brass announced a new, week-long police surge into the subway system in the department’s latest attempt to crackdown on crime underground by zeroing-in on fare evasion.
Dubbed Operation Fare Play, the new policy will see transit police join cops from other sections of the NYPD and deploy 800 more members into undisclosed subway stops to catch those attempting to bypass the cost of the ride by turnstile hopping or rushing through the emergency gate.
“That will see the deployment of hundreds of officers in dozens of stations across the city,” Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said Monday.
The announcement came the same day two Brooklyn straphangers were stabbed during a pair of unrelated incidents in the borough and hot on the heels of the department’s previous surge of up to 1,000 cops into the transit system daily, and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s additional deployment of the National Guard and MTA Police officers.
Despite Chief Kemper charging that crime is continuing to fall some 15% compared to March of last year, many commuters told amNewYork Metro earlier this month that they still feel unsafe when riding the subway system.
Police say fare evaders and transit recidivists are leading the charge when it comes to crime in the subway, which is why they claim they are focusing on theft of service. But the crackdown is a contentious point for criminal justice advocates who allege the effort may lead to unequal policing against people of color and low-income New Yorkers.
“Fare evasion enforcement is a key component to our crime reduction strategy, we do that every day,” Chief Kemper told amNewYork Metro. “This week, we are stepping that up.”
Kemper states that those who avoid payment are often found to have dangerous weapons on them or have active warrants for their arrest. Both uniformed officers and those in plain clothes will be utilized to enforce the operation over the next week.
“We are going to do it time and time again without giving locations,” Chief Chell said. “Don’t think you can come down here to get a free ride and bring your weapons.”
In recent weeks, amNewYork Metro has shadowed several fare evasion operations in which a number of individuals stopped for refusing to pay the fare had open warrants for crimes such as robberies, or were in possession of weapons or drugs.
Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtery also revealed that the NYPD is working on new technology that will help them identify those carrying weapons. However, he did not elaborate further.
Police say 28,000 people have been stopped this year alone while 1,700 others wound up in cuffs. For those who are still willing to take their chances, Chief Kemper issued a stark warning.
“Don’t do it! Don’t jump, don’t crawl, don’t come through the door — make the right decision,” Chief Kemper said.
