That fancy new 7 line extension isn't the only exciting subway news we get today: Public Advocate Letitia James announced today that the MTA is re-doubling its efforts to keep customers "safe, and assist them in respect to the reporting of any incidences of improper sexual conduct." And one of those measures will mean hundreds of new surveillance cameras inside the next batch subway cars.
James, who has been urging the MTA to change their sexual harassment measures in the light of an increase in the number of reported incidents, wrote that the changes will include:
Enhanced security measures, including the installation of new subway cameras; New information featured on the MTA homepage regarding the reporting of unwanted sexual contact; Increasing training for MTA personnel; The development of a new public service campaign; And a revised subway map, which will for the first time include NYPD Transit Bureau locations.
"This is just the next logical step moving forward, in terms of installing cameras on our trains to address this issue but other safety issues, as well," MTA Spokesman Kevin Ortiz said in a statement.
"There are a lot of men, women and transgender-identified individuals who experience harassment," James said at a press conference today, according to NY1. "All the forms — starting with verbal harassment, to groping, being followed, grabbed, brushed and touched. The hard work of these advocates and this office can make significant changes. And it also demonstrates, to their credit, that the MTA is listening."
