NYPD Drone Catches Minors Riding on Moving Subway Train in NYC
In a recent incident that has once again brought attention to the dangers of subway surfing, four minors were apprehended by the NYPD drone team after being captured riding on the roof of a moving subway train in the Bronx. The teens, aged between 12 and 16, were spotted by a drone conducting anti-subway surfing operations and were later stopped at Parkchester station. The event highlights the city’s ongoing efforts to combat the risky behavior of subway surfing.
The NYPD Technical Assistance Response Unit Drone Team, which has been deploying drones in subway areas since November 2023, reported that the apprehensions marked the 200th such incident since its deployment. This program has reportedly contributed to saving at least 200 lives in the last two years by deterring dangerous behavior and reducing the number of subway surfers on the tracks.
A previous fatal incident occurred in 2023 when a 15-year-old boy was killed after falling from a train while subway surfing on the Williamsburg Bridge. The boy struck his head on a structure below the train and fell, leading to his death. This event has sparked further discussions on the need for enhanced safety measures and stricter enforcement against subway surfing in the city.
The NYPD’s use of drones to monitor subway areas has been a controversial topic, as some residents and advocacy groups have expressed concerns about the ethical implications of surveillance and the potential for abuse of such technology. However, the police department has defended the measure as a necessary step to ensure public safety and prevent tragedies like the 2023 incident.
The recent apprehensions and the drone program’s success demonstrate the city’s continued focus on public safety through technological innovation. As the NYPD continues its efforts to combat subway surfing, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those who engage in this perilous activity and the importance of enforcing strict safety measures in public transport systems.