Elderly riders bear brunt of rising New York City subway attacks

Elderly passengers are increasingly becoming targets of violent attacks on New York City's subway system, according to the New York Police Department's transit chief Joseph Gulotta. The department has seen a 9 per cent increase in felony assaults this year, with almost half of these attacks focusing on three groups: police officers, MTA workers, and the elderly.

In the first eight months of 2022, police have investigated 435 transit assaults, compared to 397 by the same time last year. Elderly victims accounted for 17 per cent of these attacks, while police officers made up another 21 per cent. While subway assaults are on the rise, random attacks have decreased by 8 per cent, from 69 incidents last year to 63 in 2022.

Assaults that are not motivated by provocation decreased by 4 per cent, from 71 last year to 68 this year. Most of those arrested for assaults are repeat offenders. The recent surge in attacks targeting the elderly has sparked outrage, with Lydia Zuniga, a 65-year-old woman who had her leg broken in three places by a mentally ill stranger, calling on city leaders to take action.

Other recent attacks include a 70-year-old woman who was pushed onto the tracks at a Bronx station and Anthony Griffin, 44, who was shot dead by police after slashing three elderly victims with a machete at Grand Central Station. Despite the increased violence, 71 per cent of New Yorkers still feel safe riding the subway, according to Gulotta.