Mayor Adams calls on New Yorkers to report subway surfing, unveils life-saving tech

Mayor Eric Adams has urged the public to combat the alarming rise of subway surfing following the tragic deaths of two 13-year-olds. Joined by city officials and advocates, Adams emphasized the need for community action and heightened awareness around this dangerous trend.

“These deaths are heartbreaking. These deaths are preventable,” Deputy Mayor Chauncey Parker stated during the press conference. The event, held to address the recent surge in subway surfing incidents, highlighted the importance of educating young people about the perils of this reckless behavior.

Mayor Adams shared a chilling perspective on the issue, saying, “If someone were to tell me that my son, while he was in school, was subway surfing, the visual in my mind would be…children would be children. No, this is what we’re talking about.” He described subway surfing as a “fatal” act, emphasizing the real dangers associated with riding atop subway cars, particularly on elevated lines like the 7 Line.

The Mayor’s remarks focused on the role of social media in encouraging this reckless behavior, stating, “We didn’t know anything about likes. Now you have 30 million people watching your likes. That becomes intoxicating.” To combat this trend, the city is utilizing drone technology to monitor subway lines, having already conducted 900 flights, saving 114 lives.

“We are going after the social media companies…they have an obligation not to put profit over public safety,” Adams asserted, advocating for a partnership between city agencies, schools, and families to end the tragic trend.

Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon reinforced the urgency of the situation, declaring, “Riding on top of moving subway trains is reckless and unsafe.” He highlighted the NYPD’s commitment to employing drone technology to respond quickly to reports of subway surfing, aiming to involve parents in preventive measures.

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos echoed the call for action, noting, “The thought of our children riding atop a subway car is terrifying.” She highlighted a campaign launched last year, “Ride Inside, Stay Alive,” which aims to educate students about the dangers of subway surfing through peer-to-peer messaging and engagement.

The event featured Norma Nazario, a grieving mother whose son, Zach, died while subway surfing at the age of 15. “No mother should have to carry her child’s funeral card,” she lamented, urging social media platforms to remove harmful content and challenges that glorify dangerous behavior.

As the city grapples with this troubling trend, Mayor Adams’ administration is rallying community support to ensure the safety of New York’s youth, stating, “Together, we can protect and save the lives of all of our children.”