A $77 million funding initiative from the state to increase NYPD presence in the New York City subway system has been exhausted, requiring the Mamdani administration to cover the additional patrols. This funding, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul in December, was depleted by July, according to city and state officials. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who previously campaigned on reducing police overtime, will now need to honor an agreement made by his predecessor, Eric Adams, to maintain the increased police presence amid rising assaults in the subway.
Recent NYPD data indicates that felony assaults in the subway have increased by 8% this month, while overall crime has decreased by approximately 1%. Misdemeanor assaults have seen a significant rise of nearly 18%, totaling around 1,200 incidents. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in repeat felony-assault offenders, with 263 individuals arrested at least three times for such crimes through August 31, representing a 205.6% increase from the same period in 2018.
Despite calls from some groups to defund the NYPD, Mamdani's budget, which totals $126 billion, has not addressed the overtime pay for police officers. The budget also included funding for various initiatives, such as $54 million for the Office of Mass Engagement and $250 million for the Office of Community Safety, but it cut the addition of 580 officers intended to reduce overtime costs.
A spokesperson for the mayor stated that both the city and state would continue to support enhanced NYPD subway patrols under the existing funding arrangement. The NYPD confirmed that it would maintain the deployment of additional officers. According to police, felony assault remains a priority, with the department making arrests in about 80% of felony complaints citywide. Despite the challenges, a total of 71% of subway customers reportedly feel safe using the system.
Hochul's office noted that an agreement was made in December, prior to Mamdani taking office, for the NYPD to cover costs for the second half of 2026. The governor had previously announced the funding as a measure to ensure safety in the subway system, stating that it would support over 600 officers per day. The funding was part of a broader effort to enhance security in the subway, which included increasing surveillance and outreach for homeless individuals. In 2025, Hochul also announced a $154 million initiative with then-Mayor Adams to further boost subway patrols, with costs shared between the city and state.