PSA: Increase your survival rate in the NYC Subway System
As a long time New Yorker, I would like to pass along this tip.
The probabilities are very low something bad will happen to you in the subway system unless you frequent hotspots.
Per capita you have the benefit of a large population and it becomes a numbers game.
But to decrease your chances even more here is a tip not even many lifelong residents know.
The “Zebra board” is designed to be noticed by 1 person inside the Subway system, and that is the train conductor on every train!
They use it to gauge where to stop the train on each subway platform. You will notice they stop their conductor control room in front of the Zebra striped marking every time!
Here is a video of many examples as they are not placed in the same area of every station. But generally they are near the middle car.
If you fall victim to an attack of any sort, the simple fact the conductor is in the same train car decreases the time for first responders to reach you. The conductor can radio emergency services on their com systems rather than a traditional 911 call, and has the capacity to give much more precise location.
Cell service may not be avail. Or your battery drained. You may be incapacitated, hurt, surrounded or knocked out. The attacker may have already stolen your phone. Bystanders may elect not to help you for fear of harm or simple terror. Having a conductor in your train car increases your chances exponentially!
I hope you never need to even think about this type of scenario, but being street smart and taking steps to protect yourself and your family are always a good idea.
And apply common sense. Avoid subways between 10pm -6am. You find that to be peak hours for drunk riders and mentally ill. If you are a woman, have pepper spray. Try to travel in a group. Use cabs. Or walk. It is healthy and the avg time it takes is 90 seconds per NYC block going north or south. Avenues are longer so 3 min each depending on your health.
Here are the top 25 Stations with the most crime in NYC.
