N.Y. lawmakers will continue to press MTA on camera glitches, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries says
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the No. 5 House Democrat, said Wednesday that the state’s congressional delegation will continue to press the MTA after a subway camera malfunction hampered the search for the shooter who unleashed havoc on a Brooklyn train this month.
In a letter to the MTA led by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and dated April 20, Jeffries joined more than a dozen other signatories who asked the MTA to be “more transparent regarding how your agency utilizes federal funding to secure the subway system and protect riders.”
The message came after the glitching camera system at the 36th St. subway station in Sunset Park failed to capture footage of the suspect in the smoky shooting two weeks ago. Ten passengers suffered gunshot wounds in the attack, which set off a massive manhunt.
Frank James, 62, of Milwaukee, was ultimately arrested in Manhattan’s East Village and charged with carrying out a terrorist attack on mass transit.
“Although the suspect responsible for this attack has been arrested, it is imperative that we have systems in place to keep riders safe and ensure attacks like this never happen again,” said the letter.
The letter asked, among other questions, “How often are cameras audited by the MTA or a third-party?” And it demanded answers by the end of the month.
“I haven’t seen a response yet from the MTA,” Jeffries said in a news conference. “I do anticipate that they will provide one, and I certainly think the New York delegation and House Democrats will stay on the case.”
A spokesman for Torres, Raymond Rodriguez, said Wednesday afternoon that his office had not received a response from the MTA, either.
John McCarthy, an MTA spokesman, promised in a statement that a “detailed response” is forthcoming.
