February 29, 2024
The morning commute was snarled today after a vicious, predawn attack on a subway worker led to delays caused by a police investigation and subway workers’ safety concerns while the perp remained at large and possibly still in the subway system. Conductor Alton Scott, a 24 year Transit veteran, was slashed as he checked the platform from a window on the C train at the Rockaway Avenue station at 3:40 AM. Scott was taken to Brookdale University Hospital and treated for a deep cut to his neck that required almost 3 dozen stitches to close.
TWU Local 100 Union President Richard Davis said: “The law is clear: our safety is in the hands of our employer. But we need better protection now, before we lose one of our own. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: statistics mean nothing until the violence stops.”
“This is attempted murder. The wound on Mr. Scott’s neck is too close to his carotid artery. We’re at a breaking point where we can’t do our jobs safely. The city is in crisis, and the target is on our backs.
“Janno Lieber’s MTA police force of 1000 officers must be immediately deployed to the metro NYC area. We’re facing heinous crimes and brutal assaults. Enough is enough.”
Transit workers at the 207th and 168th Street stations reported safety concerns in response to the latest attack on one of their own leading to extensive delays, especially on the A, C, and 1 lines. A Local 100 spokesperson, Alina Ramirez, said the Union hadn’t authorized a job action or slowdown.*
“We’re running as much service as we can with the train crews available” according to a Tweet and an MTA sign at the 207th Street A train station. One commuter told the Gazette that ‘a sea of people’ was exiting that station at 8:40AM and that there were no trains running at the time. By 11AM the affected trains were back to normal service. As of 3 PM this afternoon, no arrest has been announced.
* A letter from TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis to members said “the perpetrator has not been caught” and that conductors “are strongly advised to exercise situational awareness and, if necessary, to adjust operations if they believe danger exists at a particular location.” Additionally,” the letter said, “we encourage everyone to utilize available safety resources and procedures to enhance personal security while on duty.”
Edited to clarify the reported safety concerns, not violations, were about the perp still at large and possibly in the subway system, and to include excerpts from (and link to) TWU letter.