As more workers return to their offices after the coronavirus pandemic, New York Democrats They're pushing them into the Big Apple's subway system with policies like new congestion fees on cars and trucks entering congested parts of Manhattan.
The new fee, which has been criticized as a driving tax on the middle class and businesses, aims to encourage people to ride the subway, reduce car emissions and raise money for the city's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
It costs drivers $9 if they want to travel south of Central Park or enter downtown Manhattan from Brooklyn or New Jersey.
Sebastian Zabetta was arraigned in Brooklyn, New York, January 7, 2025. Zabetta faces charges of murder and arson for allegedly setting Debrina Quam on fire while she slept on a New York City subway train. (Rashid Omar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
Scott LoBaidoA Staten Island artist and frequent critic of New York's Democratic leaders protested the move this week with a demonstration at 61st Street and Broadway, the same intersection where supporters of the new fees celebrated when they took effect earlier this week.
He said that a passerby approached him and expressed his support for the new fees because they would be beneficial to the environment.
Illegal accused of lighting a sleeping woman on fire has pleaded not guilty
“I just said, 'Excuse me, son. I don't feel like starting a fire. I don't feel like getting stabbed in the back of the head,'” Lopido told Fox News Digital on Friday.
Police investigate the Coney Island-Stilwell Avenue station in Brooklyn after a woman on a subway car was set on fire and died in New York on December 22, 2024. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)
LoBaido was referring to a series of recent attacks that occurred in the subway.
In one, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala was accused of setting a sleeping woman on fire, fanning the flames and watching her burn.
A conservative artist is handcuffed during a pizza protest outside New York City Hall
Sebastian Zabieta was later arrested and allegedly told investigators that he did not remember what happened because he routinely drank alcohol and rode the subway, according to court documents.
In another case, New York police arrested A man is accused of stabbing two strangers from behind inside the subway system. On Christmas Eve, another man was arrested for an unprovoked stabbing on a subway platform in Grand Central, a major hub for tourists and commuters.
Two people were injured after a knife-wielding man allegedly stabbed two people at Grand Central Station in New York City on Christmas Eve. (Fox 5 New York City)
“It's crazy. You listen to someone like Gov. Hochul, who says the subways are safe. … The guy who runs the MTA says it's all in our heads,” LoBaido said.
Mayor Eric Adams pledged this week to send more police officers to patrol the subway system, just as Hochul sent the National Guard last year.
A man has been arrested in connection with a stabbing on the subway on Christmas Eve
But while the authorities insist Crime is downViolence and fear of violence continue to rise.
Felony assaults increased slightly on the transit system in 2024, and subway homicides doubled to 10 last year compared to five in 2023. Total subway crimes fell 5.4%, according to the NYPD.
Kamel Hawkins, 23, was charged with attempted murder for allegedly pushing a 45-year-old man onto the subway tracks as a train approached. (MTA)
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MTA President Janno Lieber told Bloomberg News earlier this week that the idea of crime had “entered people's minds” but claimed the trains were safe.
“The overall statistics are positive,” he added. he told the outlet. “Last year, we were actually 12.5% less crime than in 2019, which was the last year before the coronavirus. But there's no doubt that some of these high-profile incidents, you know, the terrible attacks, have entered people's minds and made the whole system feel… “Less safe.”
Daniel Penny arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on December 5, 2024. (Adam Gray for Fox News Digital)
On top of the murders and random floggings, the Ramblers were still dealing with stampede attacks, many of which were fatal when victims fell in front of the moving trains, and the trial of Daniel Penny, who was arrested and charged with manslaughter and a felony count. Negligent homicide after interfering with a man's violent death threats.
Penny was acquitted of the lesser charge, and prosecutors asked the court to dismiss the more serious charge after jurors deadlocked.
“The Boston Tea Party started the greatest revolution in the history of civilization over a 2 percent tax,” Lopedo said. “What's going on here is pure s—.”
Fox News' Sophia Compton contributed to this report.
