Jason Wilcox Named New NYPD Transit Chief
The NYPD installed a new chief of police for the subway system.
The new Chief of Transit, Jason Wilcox, is a 35-year police veteran. He spent seven years as the commanding officer for all of Manhattan, supervising operations in Transit Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4. Transit Districts are essentially underground police precincts with geographic boundaries encompassing stations and segments of subway lines.
Introducing himself to the NYC Transit Committee at its monthly meeting Monday morning, Wilcox echoed the operational directives Mayor Eric Adams has vocalized when speaking about subway crime: greater visibility of police and more active patrols by uniformed officers.
“They will be on the trains and on the platforms,” Wilcox said. “They will be moving around. Every night, every day, you will see them. They will be there to protect you and make you feel safer.”
Wilcox said he is a lifelong city resident who has relied on the subway and bus system throughout his life. Growing up in Manhattan, his family never owned a car, he said.
A Local 100 campaign helped pressure the previous mayor to boost the number of officers in the Transit Bureau last year.
The number of Transit Bureau officers increased by approximately 1,000.
Local 100 endorsed Eric Adams based on his pledge to increase subway safety for both riders and workers. Local 100 President Tony Utano, who has spoken with Adams about the better deployment of officers, said he is encouraged by some of his actions in his first weeks in office, including directing above-ground precinct police officers to regularly park their cars and enter subway stations for spot-checks and to increase police visibility.
The new chief also indicated a greater focus on fare evasion began last year with a significant increase in summonses.
“We get it,” Wilcox said to a committee member pushing for enforcement. “I understand it. We’re committed to addressing that as well. It’s a matter of order that will we continue to try and maintain.”