Panhandler slashes and robs man on New York City subway

A 32-year-old man was slashed by a panhandler on a Manhattan subway train early Monday morning after the victim refused to give the man money. According to police, the incident took place on a No. 1 train, as it approached 103rd Street on the Upper West Side around 3 am. 

The suspect slashed the 32-year-old on the left hand and thigh, took $40 from him, and exited the train at the 125th Street station in Harlem. According to a report from the New York Post, the victim got off the train at the next stop, reported the incident to police, and was then taken to the Harlem Hospital for treatment. 

Crime in New York City continues to be a concern for officials. According to the NYPD crime statistics for 2022, the “overall index crime rose 22.4 percent compared to 2021.” In March overall crime was down just 0.1 percent from the same time last year, but the homicide rate dropped 11.4 percent from last year, ending the first quarter 12.7 percent lower than the same time in 2022.  

A survey from July of 2022 revealed that personal safety and security are the number one concerns people have while riding the subway system. 15 percent of those that responded said they would ride the train more if there was a stronger police presence. 

Last week New York City Mayor Eric Adams, along with the NYPD, announced that they will be adding robot dogs and surveillance robots to the force. One of the new items is the K5 Autonomous Security Robot (ASR) which is used to patrol places like the subway to relay any issues back to first responders. 

At the unveiling, NYPD Commissioner Keechan Sewell stressed her commitment to safeguarding the city. She said, “to safeguard our modern city in a forward-looking world, it is essential that our officers are equipped with the tools, training and technology necessary to do that job safely and effectively."