A 44-year-old transit worker in New York City is grappling with fear and injury after a violent encounter with a man who was short on subway fare. The worker, who has chosen to remain anonymous, was recently attacked while performing his duties at the Herald Square subway station.
On January 17, the worker was approached by a man who claimed to have money but was unable to use his MetroCard. When the transit worker informed him that the card only had 30 cents, the situation escalated quickly. “He just punched me in the face and accused me of taking his money,” the injured man recounted. This sudden attack resulted in the loss of two of his teeth and left him in considerable pain.
The transit worker, who began his employment in late 2023 and has three young children, has been unable to return to work due to his injuries. “I feel scared to go back. My mouth is still bleeding, and I have headaches,” he said. The trauma from the incident has led him to question whether he should continue in his role, prioritizing his family’s safety above all.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has released surveillance footage to help identify the assailant, who remains at large. Witnesses described the suspect as having a beard and mustache and wearing a dark coat along with a light green hoodie.
This incident is part of a larger trend of increasing violence in the city’s subway system. While overall transit crime has decreased, there has been a troubling rise in the number of assaults. From the start of the year to early February, 49 felony assaults were reported in the subway, down from 58 during the same timeframe in the previous year. However, the first week of February alone saw a spike, with 11 felony assaults reported, compared to just six in the same week of the previous year.
The victim of the recent attack shared his concerns regarding the rising violence. “There’s a lot of violence happening,” he said, reflecting on his own harrowing experience. He expressed that even though the statistics show a slight decrease in crime, it does little to ease the fears of those working in transit and the public at large.
Public officials, like Mayor Eric Adams, have acknowledged the problem, emphasizing the need for more safety measures for transit workers and commuters alike. As violent incidents like this continue to gain attention, there is a growing call for stronger law enforcement presence in subway systems to ensure the safety of both workers and riders.
Anyone who might have information about this recent attack is encouraged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline. It is essential for the community to support transit workers who face challenges on the job, ensuring they can perform their duties without the risk of violence. As this transit worker recovers, he hopes for a quick resolution to his case and improved security measures in the subway system.
