View Photos of Broken Subway Windows
View Video of MTA Personnel Repairing Windows
View Video of MTA News Conference
UPDATE 8:56 p.m.: As additional trains came into train yards from Tuesday into early Wednesday, a more complete count of damaged windows was taken. It was determined that a total of 97 windows were broken during the approximately 29-hour period ending at about 6 a.m. today, September 13. The total number of trains vandalized through early Wednesday was determined to be 45 when the count was completed. NYC Transit expects to run full service during tomorrow’s AM rush.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) NYC Transit President Richard Davey, MTA Chief Safety and Security Officer Pat Warren, and NYC Transit Senior Vice President of Subways Demetrius Crichlow were joined by NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper to address extensive vandalism on subways yesterday that resulted in service changes this morning on the lines.
The line has been suspended since 6:50 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, due to a shortage of available trains, and the lines experienced extensive delays and longer wait times during last night’s rush hour. This morning, in addition to the line suspension, service was adjusted on the lines to provide even frequency of service with a reduced number of available trains.
MTA personnel have identified 78 broken windows on 36 trains. As of 12:05 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13, 25 trains had been repaired.
“A group of individuals or an individual disrupted the commute of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, and it's costing us about $500,000 to repair these windows, and that is outrageous,” said NYC Transit President Richard Davey. “Our crews worked feverishly overnight to repair many of those trains, but we have literally exhausted, depending on the fleet class, the number of windows in our supply and are now taking windows off cars that are in our train yard. The NYCT system has more cameras than a Las Vegas casino. We will find those responsible. We will have their pictures. I have no doubt we will find them and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
“I'm confident, very confident, that we will identify the locations of occurrence as the video system in the New York City subway system is vast and robust and proves to be extremely helpful,” said NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper. “Breaking windows on trains, causing them to be put out of service, not only inconveniences our riders, but it's a crime, and when caught, those responsible will be arrested and will be facing felony charges.”
Those with information about the vandalism are urged to tell a police officer or MTA employee, or call NYPD CrimeStoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.