Tips to Riding the New York Subway System Safely
Most New York City subway riders are pleased with the system's reliability. They rarely hesitate to take subway trains to and from work or between the city's various boroughs

NEW YORK, NY, December 12, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Most New York City subway riders are pleased with the system's reliability. They rarely hesitate to take subway trains to and from work or between the city's various boroughs during normal daytime hours. Yet that convenience and reliability often comes at a price.

Seasoned riders know that they must always stay on constant alert in order to remain safe. Far too many passengers become victims of dangerous assaults and robberies every day. While many assaults occur on the train platforms during late night and early morning hours, thefts can occur at almost any time, especially during rush hours when riders are packed together so tightly that they can barely move. At one point in time, back during 1999, subway crimes took a particularly heinous turn.

Why Kendra's Law Was Passed

In 1999, New Yorker Kendra Webdale lost her life at a subway station after a mentally ill man pushed her in front of an oncoming train. That same year, Edgar Rivera lost both of his legs following a similar incident. New Yorkers were outraged by these attacks and demanded that new legislation be passed to increase safety for subway riders.

Stated succinctly, "Kendra's Law (New York Mental Hygiene Law Section 9.60) allows courts to order certain individuals with brain disorders to comply with treatment while living in the community. This court-ordered treatment is called assisted outpatient treatment (AOT)."

Although there are both strong supporters and opponents of this law, Governor David Paterson signed a bill in 2010 that keeps Kendra's Law in effect through June of 2015. A number of New Yorkers want to make this law permanent. Of course, all crimes committed around New York City cannot be attributed to any one group of people.

Since crimes against subway riders continue to this day, every rider should try to memorize the names of some of the most crime-ridden stations. They're definitely not all located in the roughest parts of town.

Most Dangerous Subway Stations

As might be expected, some of the most dangerous stations are located in upper class neighborhoods where criminals hope to victimize the wealthy. Here's a partial list of some of the most crime-ridden ones: Penn Station, the West 4th Street station, Grand Central Station and the East Side's 86th and 125th Street stations. Of course, robberies, assaults and other crimes can occur almost anywhere in a major metropolitan area like New York City.

Don't Forget the Most Important Safety Precautions

While the following list of tips isn't intended to be comprehensive, it may prove useful to both experienced subway riders and novices alike. Keep in mind that you must always look focused and steady on your feet when trying to go unnoticed by criminals.

- Avoid riding alone whenever taking a subway before or after common workday hours during the week -- or on weekends;
- Never carry an open attache case or purse (or a highly visible wallet in a hip pocket);
- Plan your trip in advance so you won't be standing around trying to read maps or obtain additional information while on the platforms;
- Don't allow your children or teens to ride the subway trains alone; insist they travel with an adult;
- Leave your most valuable possessions at home and only carry one emergency credit card with you (along with a limited amount of cash). Be sure to write down the credit card company's phone number and your card number at home before ever carrying it with you. In case you're robbed, you'll want to report your lost card as soon as possible;
- Don't try to reopen subway doors once they've started to close. Also, always keep personal belongings close to your body when entering or exiting a train;
- Use the emergency cord when it may help prevent an accident or injury;
- Always hold on to a pole if you must stand on the subway. (Before boarding, always secure your valuables in safe places - put wallets in front pockets and clutch any fastened bags close to your body);
- Try to avoid wearing loose shoes of any kind;
- If you must take a child's stroller, be prepared to fold it up when necessary and carry your child for added safety;
- Check with friends and co-workers regularly to find out if there's been an increase in crime on certain subway lines so you can plan alternative routes to your destinations;
- Don't even think about riding the subway - or allowing someone you love to ride it - without first reviewing the Metropolitan Transit Authority's comprehensive list of safety tips - you may actually read a few that could save your life.

Hopefully, this information will help you avoid becoming the victim of an assault or robbery on the NYC subway system.

If you or a loved one have have been seriously injured in an accident or due to another's negligence and experienced personal injury contact the law firm of Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff LLP. Since 1922 the New York Personal Injury Attorneys have been successful at winning cases in New York City including the 5 boroughs for the seriously injured.

To Contact The Firm

Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff
Attorneys at Law
122 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10168
212-697-9280

Press Release Contact Information:

Dan Minc
Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff
PR
122 East 42nd Street
New York, NY
USA 10168
Voice: 212-697-9280
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