Unarmed and powerless: A closer look at how gate guards deter fare evasion in NYC subways

"Since then, the agency has expanded the program as part of a broader effort to enhance safety and deter turnstile-jumpers, which costs the agency around $800 million a year. MTA officials said that the primary role of guards, all contracted through a private security company called Allied Universal, is to provide a visible security presence that acts as a deterrent to farebeaters."

"They are assigned to work outside emergency exit gates, as farebeaters often walk right through when the door is open for paying customers. But beyond being a gatekeeper stopping gatecrashers, what exactly are the guard's duties while on patrol? Unlike their deputized law enforcement counterparts, the guards are not authorized to make arrests or carry firearms. Instead, they are expected to report incidents to uniformed MTA staff or NYPD personnel when necessary. Essentially, the 957 active guards are the eyes and ears of fare evasion for the MTA, agency staff told amNewYork."

Unarmed gate guards began deployment across the NYC subway system in 2022 to combat widespread fare evasion through emergency exit gates. The program now places 957 active guards at 264 of 472 stations and has been expanded as part of broader efforts to enhance safety and deter turnstile-jumpers, costing roughly $800 million annually. Guards are contracted through Allied Universal and serve as visible deterrents, directing customers to turnstiles and reporting incidents to uniformed MTA staff or NYPD when necessary. Guards are not authorized to make arrests or carry firearms. The MTA has not provided aggregate reporting numbers for guard-initiated incidents.

Read at www.amny.com