Crackdown On Train Graffiti Still A Priority For NYPD

NYC Transit’s Eagle Team focuses on railyards, allowing the NYPD to focus on stretches of elevated and underground track where trains are stored during off-peak hours. The successful effort has cut graffiti-removal costs. The tab was nearly $340,000 in 2007. The cost was nearly $140,000 last year.

Old-school graffiti vandals who spray-paint trains parked overnight have had less luck hitting their targets in recent years thanks to transit security and the NYPD.

Between 2007 and last year, the number of stealth attacks in railyards and tunnels – the storage spots between rush hours – declined about 60%, according to Metropolitan Transportation Authority statistics.

The drop is partly attributable to the MTA’s formation of a new anti-graffiti team, largely comprised of former police officers, following a surge in the vandalism in 2006.

NYC Transit division officials also cited a more coordinated effort with the NYPD in protecting the fleet with surveillance, patrols and other measures.

NYC Transit’s Eagle Team focuses on railyards, allowing the NYPD to focus on stretches of elevated and underground track where trains are stored during off-peak hours.

The successful effort has cut graffiti-removal costs. The tab was nearly $340,000 in 2007. The cost was nearly $140,000 last year.

The significance of the reduced vandalism goes beyond dollars and cents, NYC Transit Security Director Vincent DiMarino said.

“When fighting graffiti and vandalism post 9/11, you’re not just fighting graffiti and vandalism,” DiMarino said. “The reality is if a bunch of kids who vandalize trains can breach security, bad guys intending to do much worse also can breach security.”

DN