New York Subway Camera Mishaps

by Clair Hugo

MANHATTAN - It's easier than ever for New Yorkers to get away with crime. No one is watching.

Uncertainty arose among New York when almost half of the newly installed subway security cameras failed to work, and an increase of crime has been a concern. Various software malfunctions have occurred within half of the 4,300 security cameras, and a preparation for downsizing station agents in May creates a high priority for surveillance, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said.

The MTA has installed cameras across Manhattan’s underground to limit crime. But nearly 1,000 cameras are not working, because they are merely for mock in 23 stations.

“More crime has been going on since this camera fiasco started,” said Brett Moses, a student from NYU. “There was a stabbing in Midtown in the 53^rd St. station, and a shooting in Uptown. People have been pretty shaken up. London has a good security system, and they have been successful with crime. We should follow their lead like we have always done.”

London officials have tracked down very dangerous criminals, such as a middle-aged man who met a teenage girl through Myspace, according to Moses. They followed her through the surveillance feedback, from what train she got on to the train she got off, and found the man within days.

Some New Yorkers disagree with the superfluous cameras and feel that the MTA should be using their money more wisely.

“I don’t understand why they would put up cameras that don’t work,” said Brooklyn resident, Stephanie Galvan. “But it’s not like crime will go away completely with more cameras. No matter how many they put up, someone will still be mugging or cheating someone else.”

Another reason why the cameras are off track is because MTA is in a dispute with their contractor, Lockheed Martin, who quit and is suing MTA, according to, Katherine Shanley, an MTA station manager. The MTA said it is doing what they can do about the cameras, but continues to cut the number of station agents on the platforms because they are $200 million over budget due to a $461 million subway security project.

“I don’t understand why they are laying off so many workers,” Chris Reyes, a student from Bergen Community College said. “Why don’t they just spend their budget on keeping the employees, instead of wasting it on these unnecessary or faulty cameras.

“I can understand that after 9/11 more surveillance was needed, but MTA could hire security guards instead of falling into legal mishaps with their contractor,” Galvan said.

“The New York subway is still safe,” Shanley said. “There has been 50% decrease in crime within the past couple of decades. I believe MTA is just trying to move forward with their technology in this day and age."