Have real cops guard the subway

A few weeks ago, three unarmed security guards working for an MTA contractor were arrested following an assault on a straphanger who exited the Union Square station via an emergency gate. According to news reports, the 20-year-old victim began filming the guards with his phone, which they slapped out of his hands.

The incident raises many questions about private security agents working in the public domain. While it’s not unprecedented, it’s a new concept for New York City’s serpentine subway system, and it costs the MTA about $1 million a month for a contractor who supplies personnel at only 14 stations. Whether it’s worth it is a matter of debate, and perhaps not enough time has elapsed to evaluate the efficacy of the program.

While the Union Square occurrence may well turn out to be an anomaly, it does point to known problems within the industry, and the city should be scrutinizing its contractors so similar incidents do not occur in the future.

For one, security guards require extensive training to ensure they’ll do their jobs properly. In the case of public transportation systems, the chances guards will have encounters with riders are high. In New York, subway and bus riders represent a full spectrum of cultures, temperaments, and personal habits. Some have severe psychological issues and some carry weapons. This dramatically adds to the complexity of guards’ tasks.

While many private security contractors provide training, it may not be adequate to prepare the guards for the myriad of scenarios they will face while patrolling the subways. Considering these challenges, it would probably be best if guards — both armed and unarmed — were trained under the auspices of the NYPD at the Police Academy under the tutelage of highly experienced professionals.

But even before training, a meticulous vetting process needs to take place. Employment history, criminal background checks and psychological evaluations of applicants are integral to reducing the possibility of improper or illegal behavior while on the job. I’m willing to bet there was a lapse in training among the guards who were arrested. Careful consideration must also be given to proper compensation. This is a field where most of the time, you get what you pay for.

Lastly, there needs to be a system of accountability where hired guards are regularly interviewed and evaluated so their fitness for the job can be gauged continuously.

The MTA decided to employ a private security firm in October to crack down on rampant violent crime and turnstile-jumping which have plagued the subway system since bail reform legislation was enacted and Broken Windows policing was eliminated. While well-meaning, this should make everyone nervous.

At the time, MTA CEO Janno Lieber said, “Not every fare evader is a criminal, but experience has shown that virtually every criminal is a fare evader.” This inherently places unarmed security guards at greater risk and underscores the need for well-trained employees. It means they’ll often encounter perpetrators with lengthy rap sheets and those who are fugitives.

The MTA can be applauded for its efforts, but the public needs to know what private guards are up to and what the limits of their duties are.

Having been a transit police officer early in my career, I have a keen understanding and appreciation for the sheer size of the subway system. In so many ways, it is a complex city unto itself, so placing unarmed guards there is inherently a risky proposition. Criminals are a crafty bunch, and many will take advantage of personnel who do not carry guns.

One of the lessons learned during the two decades of Broken Windows was that many turnstile-jumpers had criminal records or outstanding warrants. Compared to crimes they’ve committed, farebeating was not a major infraction, but enforcing it meant police would often nab suspects wanted for other offenses. Today, fare evasion is barely punishable by a slap on the wrist. By retaining private security, it would appear the MTA wants to put a stop to it. But I’m skeptical.

Given the dramatic increase in fare evasion, now said to cost the MTA a whopping $500 million a year, it seems to me taxpayer money would be better spent on hiring more police officers. We need to see these officers everywhere: on platforms, turnstiles, and train cars. It is also easier for them to be redeployed to new trouble spots in the system.

Can private security work? I think the jury is still out on that question. Considering the complexities involved, we should go with the tried and true. Leave the police work in the subways to cops.

Sapraicone is a retired NYPD first-grade detective and currently CEO of Squad Security, Inc., a global protective services agency based on Long Island.