Governor Kathy Hochul faced backlash on social media for a tweet claiming that the New York City subway system had become safer under her watch, just hours after a woman was set on fire and burned to death on a train. Hochul attributed the decrease in crime on the subway to the deployment of the National Guard in March. The governor’s tweet came shortly after the tragic incident, causing outrage among social media users.
Last week, Hochul sent 750 National Guard members to patrol the subways in an effort to control holiday-related crimes. In her post, she mentioned that crime rates were decreasing and ridership was increasing since she took action to make the subways safer. However, her message was met with criticism as it seemed tone-deaf given the recent incident on the F train in Brooklyn where a woman was set on fire and killed.
Following Hochul’s tweet, several social media users responded with graphic images and videos of the immolation incident. Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s secretary, Melissa DeRosa, called out Hochul for not being aware of the recent crime on the subway. Others criticized the governor’s communication team for their oversight in the timing of the post, especially considering the seriousness of the incident.
The person of interest in the subway incident was identified as 33-year-old Sebastin Zapeta, who reportedly entered the U.S. from Guatemala about a year ago. It was unclear whether he entered the country legally or illegally. The incident raised concerns about immigrant screening and border security. Fox News Digital reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for more information on Zapeta but did not receive an immediate response.
Advocacy groups and political figures, such as Lori Mills from the Ventura County Republican Party, also criticized Hochul’s tweet for being insensitive and detached from the reality of the situation. The incident on the subway train highlighted the ongoing challenges of ensuring public safety in heavily trafficked areas like the New York City subway system. It also sparked conversations about the need for comprehensive security measures and effective law enforcement strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In light of the backlash, Hochul’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter. The incident remains under investigation by the New York City Police Department, and the outcome may impact future decisions regarding public safety measures in the subway system. The tragic event serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges associated with maintaining safety and security in public transportation systems, especially in densely populated urban areas like New York City.
