Listen to Commissioner Sewell’s Announcements
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced two new messages to riders from New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell are now playing throughout the subway system. The two new messages will be broadcast in 403 subway stations in four boroughs through Oct. 31. The announcements will play every 15 minutes around-the-clock at indoor stations, and from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at outdoor stations. These messages follow a recording from Commissioner Sewell played in the system in July, which was the first time a New York City Police Commissioner had ever recorded a subway announcement.
“We appreciate Commissioner Sewell speaking directly to riders in the subway system,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “Every day, the women and men of the NYPD keep New York City’s subways safe, which is why we are grateful to the Commissioner and Mayor Adams for increasing deployments on trains and platforms. This partnership will make the subway a safer place for customers and transit workers.”
“The New York City transit system is the largest in the country and with more riders returning to the subways each day – as the fastest and best way to travel – it’s vital that we continue working together to keep the system safe,” said Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “This is what we mean when we say that public safety is a shared responsibility, particularly in a transportation system where the riding public is a force multiplier for the NYPD’s work in ensuring the highest levels of safety and security.”
The messages build on renewed commitments from Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Sewell to deploy more officers to patrol the subway system, both on trains and platforms, as a part of the Subway Safety Plan announced by the mayor in February.
A transcript of the Police Commissioner’s announcements is below:
Announcement #1: “Hello, I’m NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. New York relies on its subway system like no other city in the nation. And your NYPD officers are working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to keep it safe. Enjoy your ride and thank you for choosing mass transit.”
Announcement #2: “Hello, I’m NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. We have increased officers on trains and platforms so that you can ride safely, knowing that we are here to help. If you see something, say something.”