Thu Jan 02 05:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Subway Safety Overshadowed by High-Profile Attacks, Adams Claims Despite Falling Crime Numbers
**New York, NY** – Mayor Eric Adams concluded 2024 by defending his administration’s record on subway safety, despite a series of high-profile violent incidents that have fueled public concern. While acknowledging a decrease in overall crime statistics, Adams insisted that the perception of subway safety remains a major challenge.
The mayor pointed to the horrific arson death of 57-year-old Debrina Kawam on an F train earlier this month as a prime example of an incident that overshadowed positive crime trends. Suspect Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, an undocumented Guatemalan immigrant, faces first-degree murder charges. This incident, along with a recent random pushing incident on a 1 train, fueled public anxieties.
Adams announced that NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch will deploy additional officers to subway platforms and trains to increase visibility and engage with straphangers, though specifics on numbers and deployment plans were not provided. This comes as subway murders doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching a 25-year high of 10. While Adams cited a daily average of six reported crimes, the rise in violent crime contradicts claims of overall safety improvement.
The return of the Guardian Angels to subway patrols, a testament to public fear, further highlighted the challenges. Adams cautioned the group’s founder, Curtis Sliwa, against overstepping boundaries.
The mayor’s press conference also came amid a year of scandals involving his top officials, culminating in the resignation of NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey following accusations of sexual misconduct. Adams sidestepped questions of responsibility for appointing such officials, focusing instead on the overall performance of his administration. He expressed no regrets about his 2024 performance, concluding that all administrations face challenges.
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