The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Monday, Sept. 13, that security cameras have been installed at all 472 subway stations across New York City. Cameras were deployed on Sept. 11 at the 472nd station, Broadway station, on the G line, and officials said thousands of cameras have since been deployed systemwide.

The initiative to expand security camera coverage was accelerated last year by interim president of New York City Transit, Sarah Feinberg, who identified a new class of camera that could be deployed more quickly, and at much lower cost than traditional cameras. As a result, officials said 200 of the 472 subway stations in the system gained security camera coverage within the past year.

Feinberg accelerated the pre-existing camera installation program to ensure that all subway stations would have cameras by the end of summer 2021.

In the context of Monday’s announcement, Craig Cipriano, the current acting president of MTA New York City Transit, said thanks was owed to MTA’s “incredible workforce” who he said continued to deliver for the agency’s customers. He also credited Feinberg who, he said, got the program accelerated from the top levels of the agency. “We have delivered on Sarah’s commitment to accelerate the camera roll-out as we look to restore confidence in the system,” said Cipriano.

“We recognize safety and security are top concerns for our customers as they return to our system, and this is a significant tool in our effort to enhance rider safety,” he added.

Meanwhile, MTA chief safety officer, Patrick Warren, said the MTA, together with the NYPD, was driven to deliver a safer and more high-level quality of life experience in the subway system, and that the new cameras were a big part of that approach. “If you are a criminal who preys on those who use our system, you will have your image captured, and be put on the express track to justice,” he said.

“The image will be delivered to the police, and the police will use it to find you,” he continued, adding that the NYPD had been aggressively investigating every crime committed on the subway, and that this was the reason why crime was way down this year.

The latest statistics provided by the NYPD show a decline in major felonies of 20.6 percent in 2021 through August 31, and a 28.6 percent increase in arrests over the same time period.

According to MTA officials, security cameras used in the subway system come in two forms: those that broadcast in real time to the subway’s security center, and those that record locally and provide material that can be retrieved quickly and used in the investigation of crimes. Similar to the NYPD’s post-9/11, Lower Manhattan Security Initiative, some of the live cameras give New York City Transit the ability to spot suspicious packages and other activities that require a response.

MTA officials said they will continue to expand the placement of cameras throughout the system, with a goal of optimizing coverage of stations.