The New York City Police Department is pushing back against the MTA’s plan to force the homeless out of the subway system.
On Monday, NYC Transit President Andy Byford told board members that station managers have been told to start removing the homeless from trains if they lie down on the seats or cause problems.
“Homeless isn’t something that we arrest our way out of,” NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan said.
Byford said the homeless should be treated compassionately. However, he also said that riders should be entitled to a clean and safe commute on the subway.
“Warming up is one thing, but being offensive, obnoxious and antisocial is another and that we’re not prepared to tolerate,” Byford said.
Byford said the homeless would be allowed to stay if they’re behaving themselves. Monahan said the NYPD has had 37,000 interactions with the homeless on subways this year, offering them help and access to services.
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