Janno Lieber, CEO of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), has sparked outrage after dismissing subway riders’ fears of violent crime as exaggerated and “in people’s heads.” Lieber made the controversial remarks during a Monday interview with Bloomberg, downplaying safety concerns despite several recent high-profile attacks on the subway.
“Some of these high-profile incidents, you know, terrible attacks have gotten in people’s heads and made the whole system feel unsafe,” Lieber stated. He added that “overall stats are positive,” even as crime statistics paint a different picture of violence on public transit.
According to NYPD data, overall crime in New York City may have decreased by 3% in 2024, but subway-related felony assaults tell a different story. Felony assaults on the subway and mass transit have risen by 65% over five years, with 374 reported in 2019 and 579 in 2024. This surge includes shocking incidents like the burning death of Debrina Kawam, a man pushed in front of an oncoming train on New Year’s Eve, and a 71-year-old woman attacked by teenage girls on New Year’s Day.
People are burnt alive on the subway.@MTA thinks it's in people's heads. https://t.co/a1Ytrht4YV
— Ginny Fidler 💋 (@KathyMschotschi) January 6, 2025
It’s disturbing that the corrupt MTA Chairman, who’s paid $400k a year and NEVER uses the subway, has the audacity to claim subway crime is “in our heads.” He should resign immediately. He is dangerously out of touch and has only made the system more expensive for working people… https://t.co/Q2t8tDSna0
— Curtis Sliwa (@CurtisSliwa) January 6, 2025
Gov. Kathy Hochul has also touted subway safety, pointing to National Guard deployments in March 2024. However, critics argue these measures underscore the severity of subway crime rather than resolve it. Hours after one of Hochul’s public safety posts on X, Kawam’s gruesome murder occurred, further intensifying skepticism about the governor’s leadership on public safety.
MTA BOARD MEMBER SUGGESTS YOU SHOULD HUG A COLUMN IN THE SUBWAY TO AVOID GETTING SHOVED IN FRONT OF A TRAIN BY A DERANGED LUNATIC THE MTA WILL NOT REMOVE FROM THE SYSTEM
She said it’s important to be mindful of what’s going on around you, especially on a narrow platform. While… pic.twitter.com/zUs0s8sDsO
— Reza Chowdhury (@RezaC1) January 6, 2025
GASLIGHT! Weeks After Woman Was Set on Fire in Subway, New York MTA CEO Says Crime Is in People's Heads https://t.co/3J3Ex2vSF2
— Carol RN *Miss Rush & the Gipper* 👩⚕️🇺🇸 🇮🇱🦈 (@pasqueflower19) January 7, 2025
Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa has been among the most vocal critics of Lieber and Hochul, calling their reassurances “gaslighting” and announcing expanded patrols to address rising violence. Comparing current subway conditions to those in 1979, when the Guardian Angels were founded, Sliwa said, “The need is here now once again. The subways are out of control.”
Y do so many lifelong NYorkers refuse 2 ride subway now? Outrage as NY subway boss says fear of crime on transport network is 'in people's heads'. https://t.co/OtVeKUVvAm
— willwinforever (@willwinforever) January 6, 2025
The absolute galling audacity spewed today by @MTA Chair&CEO Janno Lieber that subway crime is “in people’s heads”.. is he for real? Last week, multiple stabbing & a woman was set on fire! When was the last time this pompous a$$ rode public transportation! HE MUST STEP DOWN! pic.twitter.com/ZujsIPY0id
— Concetta🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@concetta8631) January 6, 2025
Subway riders have echoed Sliwa’s concerns, with one passenger remarking, “People burned to death, shoved under a train, and watching others use the train as a toilet is a figment of the imagination? That’s an interesting line of BS.”
Don't worry, the mta wants you on the subways even more now with congestion pricing.
Have fun you suckers! Buy a gun! https://t.co/SIR5ZovBkh— Just Some Guy (@JohnyTwoTimes13) January 3, 2025
