News 12
Long Island has learned extra police
patrols are coming to Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North trains due to a
rise in crime.
Starting in
January, around 60 officers will start their day at 5 a.m. boarding LIRR and
Metro-North trains, riding into the city during the early rush and then making
the return trip during the evening.
According to the MTA,
through the first half of 2022, major crimes on the LIRR were up by 71%.
Jerry Bringmann,
chairman of the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council, says the increased
police presence is part of an effort to make the trains safer, which will
hopefully encourage more people to return to riding the trains.
The MTA also says
it will have officers with the Special Operations K-9 Unit and Emergency
Services Unit on the platforms.