Mayor Eric Adams, joined by New York City Police Department (NYPD) Interim Commissioner Thomas Donlon and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, on Thursday, October 31st, called on New Yorkers to call 911 if they see attempts at subway surfing, emphasizing the importance of community vigilance alongside advanced safety measures involving drones and field response teams.
At a press briefing, Adams highlighted the city’s commitment to protecting young people, noting that NYPD drone units, mobilized by 911 calls, have saved over 100 lives in the past year. Emphasizing the urgent need to prevent these dangerous stunts, Mayor Adams warned, “Subway surfing is a deadly trap, one that is endangering more and more young people who see others doing it on social media. But those five minutes of online fame could lead to years of regret and pain or a lifetime of trauma and heartbreak for a family that lost a child. Subway Surfing Kills – Ride Inside, Stay Alive.”
Commissioner Donlon echoed the mayor’s concerns, stating, “The NYPD will continue to do everything possible to stop this reckless behavior – but it starts with sound decision-making. Our message to New York City’s young people is clear: There is nothing cool about senselessly losing your life. Be smart, be safe, and always ride inside the train.”
With subway surfing incidents on the rise, fueled primarily by social media, the trend has resulted in at least six deaths this year. To combat this, New York City has deployed a program using drones to scan moving trains for surfers. When a surfer is detected, officers halt the train at the next station, a tactic credited with saving the lives of individuals between the ages of 9 and 33, with an average age of 14.
State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar connected the issue to social media’s influence, stating, “Subway surfing is one of the most tragic and vivid examples of social media’s hazards. Utilizing 911 data, we are deploying field teams and drones to catch subway surfers before they are killed or critically injured – already saving 106 people from unspeakable tragedy. Together, we will end toxicity on social media and make subway surfing history.”
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker stressed the community’s role in prevention, saying, “We need every single parent, caretaker, and role model to impress upon the young people in your life that no thrill and no social media attention is worth dying for. And we especially need young people to speak up to their friends before it’s too late. Together, we can and will put an end to this.”
With reinforced safety measures and a united community effort, city officials are working diligently to curb subway surfing, ensuring that all New Yorkers can travel safely.
