This column, from the weekly opinion piece MATTER OF FACT, first appeared on BrooklynReporter.com, the Home Reporter and Spectator dated April 29, 2022
It is nearly three weeks since the N train shooting in Sunset Park terrorized New Yorkers. The event shed a light on many areas of concern, some specific to mass transit safety, while others deal in a broader sense with topics such as policing and mental health.
It is extremely fortunate that there was no loss of life on that day. Some firearms experts have expressed that with 33 shots fired inside a morning rush hour train car, the fact there were no fatalities is improbable, theorizing that with most of the rounds fired downward, rather than in the direction of more vulnerable parts of the anatomy, it may indicate that the shooter Frank James was hesitant to kill. We will likely never know the answer to that, but it certainly could have been much worse.
Mental health issues were clearly a factor in this case. James’ publicly available YouTube channel featured unhinged rants that delved into violent thoughts. He specifically talked about the subway system, warning, “They can’t be everywhere.” One rider who sat across from James on the N train that morning, had watched him talking to himself constantly for eight stops, thinking to himself, ‘This guy is crazy.’
We cannot demonize all people who are suffering from mental health issues. The overwhelming majority are not, and never will be, violent. But it is imperative our society do all it can to get everyone help because it only takes one person who has lost touch with reality and become violent to do what Frank James did.
James had been receiving therapy at a non-profit in the Bronx that receives tens of millions of dollars annually from the state. It also pays its leaders exorbitant salaries, despite it being in the red. This is not uncommon, but it is not a reason to further remove the availability of services to those experiencing homelessness or dealing with mental health issues. It is a clear sign that more oversight is needed, so that those in need can get help from non-profits that are not run by executives whose primary focus is on their own personal enrichment.
The manhunt for the shooter was hampered from the outset by non-functioning security cameras at the 36th Street and 25th Street stations. The initial response from officials was that all cameras in the subway system were operational, except for those, which is ludicrous. Within two days, Councilman Brannan was one of three Council leaders to sign a letter sent to the MTA, demanding a full audit of the system.
“There were multiple officers in the station at the time of the shooting, yet it did not prevent it, nor were they the first responders.”
Citation….
In addition to an audit of these cameras, a review of other safety matters during emergencies on our trains must be initiated. Video from the car ahead of the one where the shooting took place, showed riders who had fled to the open area between cars but then could not open the next door to then enter the other car. Riding between cars is dangerous and prohibited, and certain trains have the doors locked because they are considered potentially more dangerous than others, but the MTA must evaluate options for moving between cars in the event of a deadly emergency.
In many stations, recent efforts to curtail fare evasion have led to an increased number of emergency exits being locked. Preventing the possibility of a skipped fare should not supersede safety. The MTA should further review how badly things could have turned out if a rider had pulled the emergency break and if any modifications are needed.
There were multiple officers in the station at the time of the shooting, yet it did not prevent it, nor were they the first responders. Mayor Adams had added 1,000 officers to the subways, bringing the total to 3,500. Over $10 billion is spent on the NYPD per year, which is more than all but a few of the world’s militaries.
It was not the NYPD’s fault that this shooting happened, but their might was powerless to stop it and after a day-and-a-half manhunt, it was the gunman who turned himself in. Benjamin Franklin said an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is time we start investing in prevention.
