MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Manhattan District Attorney, Alvin Bragg expressed personal unease when his family members use the train system in New York City. Despite his reputation for being lenient on crime and not prioritizing the prosecution of violent offenders, he acknowledged feeling a "knot" in his stomach due to concerns for their safety.
In a recent interview, Bragg discussed the decrease in hard crimes such as shootings, murders, and robberies during the first half of the year. According to NYPD crime statistics, shootings decreased by 24% and murders by 3%. Bragg credited this decline to the ongoing communication between his team and law enforcement officials, emphasizing its positive impact on crime reduction.
'Knot in my stomach'
"I know the statistics that transit crime is down, but when one of my family members gets on the train, I, too, get a knot in my stomach," he told FOX 5 News when asked about the perception that the subway system is becoming increasingly unsafe. "I live here, I'm raising my family here, so we have a lot more work to do," he added.
Are NYC subways safe?
Bragg's remarks come in light of a significant increase of nearly 20 percent in transit crimes during the previous month, compared to the same period in 2022. One concerning series of incidents included multiple subway slashings, where a man allegedly assaulted three women within a 20-minute timeframe on June 18. A considerable number of these offenders have prior arrests but were released back onto the streets due to the more lenient bail laws that Bragg had supported. In June alone, crimes on New York City's transit system surged by over 18 percent, with 195 reported cases, an increase from the 165 cases reported in June 2022.
Kemal Rideout attacked 3 women in the subway
Kemal Rideout, a career criminal, stands accused of slashing three different women within a 20-minute timeframe on Father's Day in the NYC subway. The first victim, Bianchelly Diplan, 19, suffered a severe laceration on the back of her leg, requiring 19 stitches, as she exited the 86th Street station. Shortly after, on the same station platform, a 48-year-old woman experienced a slashing on her right leg.
Security footage captured Rideout, 28, quickly returning to the downtown 4-train around 4 pm. Approximately fifteen minutes later, Rideout allegedly targeted a 28-year-old victim at the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station, according to the police. The second victim's leg wound resulted in bleeding, and she had to employ an emergency tourniquet to stop it. She filmed Rideout as he nonchalantly walked through the train. Rideout is currently facing three counts of felony assault. His criminal history includes four prior arrests outside of the city. He is presently held without bail at Rikers Island.
