The MTA decided to fight crime with light bulbs, and it might work.

The New York subway is one of the most dangerous places in the city. Every day there is news about an attack or vandalism in the subway. The city authorities and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are constantly working to improve the quality of service delivery and safety. According to New York Post, the MTA has a new idea to combat rising crime in the subway - it needs to spend $21 million on light bulbs.

On Tuesday, February 20, officials announced plans to replace all old fluorescent lights in subway stations across the city with brighter LED models. They argue that this will deter potential criminals and help security cameras record high-quality video of offenses.

“By upgrading the lighting at each of our 472 subway stations, we are not only making them brighter and safer for riders, but also reducing costs and emissions,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey.

The MTA has already upgraded the Bergen Street, Carroll Street and Lafayette Avenue stops in Brooklyn. “It's simple: a brighter station is a safer station,” explained Davey, adding that customer feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive.”

However, passengers surveyed at stations with the new lighting did not perceive any difference. “I didn't notice anything at all,” said Andrew Halicki, 43, who walks onto Bergen Street every day to grab pies at nearby La Rose Pizza. “I think something better than bright lights would be a constant police presence.”

Fighting crime

The MTA made the decision after the NYPD released statistics showing that crime on the subway has skyrocketed by nearly 20 percent over the past two months, driven largely by an increase in grand thefts, assaults and robberies.

Mayor Eric Adams said this week that the NYPD will quickly move to 12-hour shifts to stem the rising crime wave. Still, crime experts say the MTA's light bulb initiative makes sense, too.

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According to Brian Higgins, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former chief of police in Bergen County, New Jersey, good lighting is an integral part of any security plan. “Lighting is an important element,” agreed Higgins. – It can become a psychological deterrent. Those dimly lit areas where people can congregate and hide will be easier to spot and detect.”

He said this would help passengers feel safer, although not all passengers feel that way. “It will probably be easier for thieves to notice what you're carrying. Are these new lights? Everything looks the same,” said Spencer Adams, a 31-year-old bartender who lives in Carroll Gardens. “I didn’t notice anything at all, and yet I come here every day.”

Adams said he had heard about the new lights and was worried their harsh white light would make the station “look like a hospital.”

“It makes me feel a little safer. I think at night you will really see and feel the difference in lighting,” said Susie Pratt, a 22-year-old student. “I would say it's a good investment.”

Cost savings

New energy-saving lamps will last longer and consume less electricity. When 150 bulbs are completely replaced by mid-000, it will save about $2026 million a year, MTA officials say. The new white lights will help the 6 installed surveillance cameras record crimes and suspects in detail.

Another passenger is not sure that bright lights will change anything.

“In my opinion, people will commit crimes regardless of whether it is light or dark, sunny or raining,” he noted. “But if the city thinks it will be effective, then let’s try it.”