New York – To alleviate the strain on its border cities in the south, Texas has transported over 100,000 migrants to states led by Democrats, with New York being particularly affected the most since it has to house most of them. Initiated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2022, this costly operation has amounted to more than $148 million, as reported by the Texas Tribune.
Sanctuary cities already face difficulties
The sanctuary cities that have received these migrants are already encountering significant challenges, grappling with the consequences of accommodating thousands of undocumented immigrants. Keeping the border safe and secure is a very complicated and expensive process, but so is taking care of the immigrants, and the sanctuary cities are now on the “brink of bankruptcy” as the federal financial help is not enough to cover all the expenses they face. But it’s not just money; these cities face many other problems, the most important of which is public safety.
Safety concerns grow in New York
On Wednesday, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York announced she’s sending the National Guard to help out in the New York City subway. They’ll be there to help the police check people’s bags randomly for any weapons, because there have been a lot of serious crimes happening on the trains lately. Hochul, a Democrat, is sending out 750 National Guard members to support the New York Police Department. They’ll be mainly checking bags at the busiest subway stations.
Checking bags to deter carrying weapons and knives
“For people who are thinking about bringing a gun or knife on the subway, at least this creates a deterrent effect. They might be thinking, ‘You know what, it just may just not be worth it because I listened to the mayor and I listened to the governor and they have a lot more people who are going to be checking my bags,’” Hochul said at a news conference in New York City.
New law in the making
This step is part of a bigger plan by the governor to make the subway safer. She’s also thinking about making a law that would ban anyone who attacks a subway rider from using the trains for three years. On top of that, she mentioned putting cameras in the areas where the train conductors work to keep them safe.
250 state troopers and federal officers to also join the efforts
Governor Kathy Hochul is beefing up security in the New York City subway by bringing in the National Guard to work alongside more NYPD officers. She’s also adding 250 state troopers and officers from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is part of the state government, to assist with checking passengers’ bags. This move is part of Hochul’s efforts to push a stronger public safety campaign, especially after the Republican Party made gains in the House by focusing on crime issues during the 2022 elections in areas near New York City.
The temporary measure faces opposition
However, Donna Lieberman from the New York Civil Liberties Union criticized Hochul’s subway security plan. She thinks it’s an overreaction and doesn’t believe it’s the right way to make policies.
“Sound policy making will not come from overreacting to incidents that, while horrible and tragic, should not be misrepresented as a crime wave and certainly don’t call for a reversion to failed broken windows policies of the past,” she said in a statement, referring to the policing theory that going after smaller crimes can help stem greater disorder.
Overall crime rates have gone down
Even though there was a rise in crime in New York City during the pandemic, overall crime rates have gone down, and serious crimes in the subway have decreased. Yet, occasional violent incidents, like a recent attack on a subway conductor, have made people worried. The NYPD has been doing random bag checks at subway stations for a while, but they haven’t always been consistent. People can say no to these checks and just leave the station instead. Some people question if these checks really make the subway safer, considering over 3 million people use it every day.
2023 had a record number of subway assaults
Crime in the subway has increased by 13% this year compared to the same time last year, and attacks within the transit system have gone up by 11%. The NYPD has noted that 2023 saw the highest number of assaults in the subway ever recorded. Mayor Eric Adams pointed out that repeat offenders are mainly to blame, with a small group causing most of the crime. Governor Kathy Hochul has responded by instructing the NYPD and district attorneys to closely monitor and identify these repeat offenders whenever they’re arrested.
“There’s a psychological impact,” Governor Hochul said. “People worry they can be next.”
Illegal immigrants in the city raise concerns
Last month, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban warned of a “wave of migrant crime” as criminals posing as asylum seekers are turning American cities into war zones. While locals are getting more concerned for their safety, Gov. Hochul says migrants “are looking for a better life.” Video from late January, however, clearly shows several men kicking officers on a sidewalk and trying to pry them off a man police had taken to the ground. The video was taken outside a Manhattan homeless shelter on Jan. 27.
Liberal policies have consequences. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is one of the few paying the price. For now.
