NYC transit riders say more needs to be done to ensure their safety after recent outbreak of violence

12 hours ago 1

We may need some divine intervention below ground.

New York City transit riders say are fearing for their lives and even “asking God” for help after a number of disturbing, violent incidents in subways and train stations that have left people on edge.

Philomena Ofosu, a 24-year-old nurse’s aide from the Bronx said she prays for her safety every time she gets on the train.

“I am a Christian and I ask God to bring me safe to where I’m supposed to be and back,” she told The Post at Grand Central Terminal on Wednesday — hours after a two people were slashed there by a knife-wielding maniac on Christmas Eve.

“Nobody is safe out here,” she said. “You never know what can happen in the train. It’s so scary for people to get stabbed on the train. They think they are going somewhere and they get stabbed.”

A man, 42, and a woman, 26, were stabbed at Grand Central Terminal Tuesday night. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post
Philomena Ofosu said she prays for her safety every train ride. Robert Miller

Others have taken their security into their own hands, like Brooklyn resident Miranda Drakes who’s carried pepper spray with her on the subway since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s terrible in New York City now,” the 58-year-old said about the recent spate of violence.

In addition to the Grand Central attack, the Big Apple was left shaken this week when a woman was fatally set on fire by an illegal immigrant on the F train in Coney Island — marking the ninth killing on the subway this year, tying a 25-year-old high.

Despite efforts by the NYPD to have more cops patrolling the metro system and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent deployment of 1,000 national guardsmen on the metro system for the holiday season, straphangers aren’t convinced enough is being done to address the situation.

Swiss national Celia Lovis said she found the violence on the subway “shocking.” Robert Miller
Amparo Corrales and her teenage daughter Ines Alonso have been avoiding the train at night. Robert Miller

“I think he [Mayor Adams] is trying his best, but I think it’s wintertime now, there is no place for the homeless to go, and so they stay on the train. They need somebody to really help them,” Drakes added.

Junior Reyes, who also hails from Brooklyn, said “it’s just ridiculous” what’s been happening on the subways of late — including rampant drug use.

“You got people that like to smoke and [stuff] like that on the train — that means my kids got to see that. It’s not good,” he said.

The city needs to do more to get mentally ill people off the streets and subways, he said.

Jason Sargeant stabbed two people on Christmas Eve in Grand Central Station, according to police. William Farrington
Nine people have been killed on the New York City subways this year, tying a 25-year high. Robert Miller

“I mean stuff happens, but give them more support,” he said.

Bronx resident Shabe Davis, 49, said she thinks the city needs to “put more security on the subway.” She said she feels “safe” because she has been able to avoid any violent altercations, “but not everybody is so lucky.”

The violence has been particularly staggering to tourists from abroad visiting the Big Apple.

Celia Lovis, 28, of Switzerland, told The Post “we are not used to this kind of violence” in her home country, calling recent incidents “really shocking.”

Amparo Corrales, a journalist from Madrid, Spain visiting New York with her daughter, Ines Alonso, 14, said they’ve avoided taking the train at night.

“It’s quite scary. You are having a normal day on the subway and someone stabs you,” Ines said.

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