New York: MTA Fare Evasions and Total Crime Up

Two MTA buses are seen on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, March 26. The MTA is planning to install additional video cameras on buses in order to help prevent criminal activity. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—Fare evasion costs the MTA between $50 million and $75 million every year, according to New York City Transit (NYCT) President Thomas Prendergast, who suggested a “comprehensive report” be compiled on evasion in the future.

In the last 28 days, NYPD officers—both uniformed and plainclothes—have performed 996 bus inspections across the five boroughs. Officers have arrested 1,205 people for fare evasion from the beginning of the year up to July 23.

Chief of Transit Joseph Fox said that anyone who witnesses fare evasion should report it to the NYPD or transit personnel.

In March, the MTA announced 1,576 more buses would be equipped with security cameras, adding to the 300 already equipped.

Preliminary crime statistics for June released prior to the NYCT meeting showed robberies increased from 53 incidents last June to 75 this year and felony assault increased from 14 incidences to 22 this June.

Grand larceny, which includes stealing a credit or debit card, or stealing more than $1,000, or directly stealing property from the body of another person regardless of the value of the theft, decreased from 147 incidents last June to 124 this June.

Total major felonies—which include rape, murder, and burglary—from January through June are up about 15 percent, from 1,169 last year to 1,350. No murders occurred during either time period.

Fewer arrests were made by officials this June, down slightly from 3,952 in June 2011 to 3,916.

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