The guilty plea entered by Frank James on January 2, 2023, put to rest the question of who was responsible for the terrorist attack that wounded 10 people on the New York City subway in April 2022. However, it raises many questions regarding what is next for law enforcement and subway safety in New York City.
“I’ve been in the law enforcement and legal field for 26 years, and this is the worst I have seen in terms of how dangerous it is to be on the subway,” says Michel Huff, a social justice advocate and founder of Huff Legal. “The April shooting, combined with the eight murders committed on the subway in 2022, illustrate that dangerous conditions have become the status quo.”
Michel, who goes by “Huff,” is a former police patrol supervisor and Federal Judicial Law Clerk whose law firm’s practice areas include criminal defense, cryptocurrency DeFi, complex civil litigation, contested probate, and personal injury. Huff Legal’s team of lawyers is experienced and knowledgeable in both California State and federal courts and are known as skilled and highly efficient negotiators. Huff’s personal background has provided him with a wealth of experience in dealing with high-conflict situations and multicultural issues.
Officials hope police presence will deter subway crimes
In the months that followed the Frank James shooting, New York officials sought to bring a higher level of security to the subway by posting a greater police presence. Their strategy was to provide more opportunities for riders to report crimes or suspicious activity.
“The amount of deterrence that police presence provides can be difficult to assess,” Huff explains. “Proving that lives were saved in a community because a patrol car was present is very difficult. Still, statistics show that crime rates drop in areas with consistent and routine police visibility. I believe New York City is doing its best to protect its citizens by bringing more police into the subway system. I commend their efforts.”
Looking at the root cause of subway crimes, and finding ways to address them, is another solution that has been suggested for increasing subway safety. Advocates of this approach argue that “crimes of poverty” account for much of the activity that inspires a feeling of insecurity in the subway. Huff believes that efforts to reduce crime by alleviating poverty can be effective.
“I serve as the deputy executive director of 1 More Chance, a not-for-profit that focuses exclusively on reforming and reintegrating former felons into society through education and training,” Huff shares. “We have found that the vast majority of those we help come from lower socio-economic backgrounds where they generally received little to no guidance. That disadvantage alters a person’s trajectory in life for the worse. Crimes of poverty definitely stem from a lack of programs and treatment.”
Subway shooting raises gun control concerns
In the aftermath of the Frank James shooting, one victim sued gunmaker Glock, claiming the company held some responsibility for the attack. While the constitutionality of the case has yet to be determined, it brings the ongoing debate over gun control laws into the subway safety discussion. A US Supreme Court decision handed down on January 11, 2023, upheld a new New York law that bans guns in various public locations. An earlier version of the law, which the Supreme Court struck down in June, would have banned guns from being carried on public transportation.
“A unified effort between federal and state authorities is necessary to strengthen the review process for obtaining certain weapons while balancing the interests of our second amendment rights,” Huff argues. “I believe law enforcement officials are doing everything they can on the frontlines. Our legislators must strike a balance between the competing interests of law-abiding citizens who have a right to bear arms and those who would use weapons to harm us.”
Subway riders must remain vigilant
While legislators and law enforcement do their best to establish and maintain a safe environment for subway riders, the best line of defense may always be rider vigilance.
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“I am a firm believer in conducting yourself in a manner that projects the fact that you will not be victimized,” says Huff. “Stand up straight. Be alert. Make sure your phone is charged. FaceTime a friend if you can’t travel in a group. And always be aware of your location so you can provide it to emergency personnel if necessary.”
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