New York City Mayor Eric Adams and city officials gathered to address the recent tragedies that have struck the community.

This urgent meeting followed the deaths of two 13-year-old children who lost their lives while riding on top of subway cars—a reckless act that has grown alarmingly prevalent, largely fueled by social media.

Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Chauncey Parker, opened the event, emphasizing the need for community involvement.

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“These deaths are heartbreaking. These deaths are preventable,” he stated. “The mayor’s North Star for New York City is to keep people safe, especially, above all people, young people. Today is the mayor’s call… to spread the word to young people across the city that this activity of riding on top of subways is so dangerous, it’s the most dangerous thing they can do.”

Mayor Adams took the stage, stressing the seriousness of subway surfing, which he described as “not harmless.”

He highlighted the real dangers posed by subway cars, saying, “That train… is filled with steel, metal. The third rail is extremely dangerous. Being on top… can be fatal.” He emphasized the role of young people in addressing this crisis, declaring, “They are going to be the ambassadors to end subway surfing.”

Adams shared his own experiences as a former transit police officer, noting the lack of awareness about the dangers of subway surfing in the past. “We have changed the dynamics… by allowing the drone operation to be incorporated in the heavily-used train lines,” he explained. The use of drones has proven effective, resulting in 900 operations that saved 114 lives. “The average age is 14. We have young people as young as 9,” he warned.

The mayor’s remarks highlighted a staggering 366% increase in subway surfing incidents from 2021 to 2022, attributing the rise to the influence of social media. “We’re going after the social media companies… to state they have an obligation not to put profit over public safety,” he said.

Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon reinforced the message, declaring, “Riding on top of moving subway trains is reckless and unsafe… This behavior is dangerous, illegal, and deadly.” He urged parents to engage in conversations with their children about the risks involved and noted the proactive measures being taken by the NYPD to address the issue.

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos spoke from a personal perspective, expressing her fears as a mother. “The thought of our children riding atop a subway car is terrifying… We know we will continue elevating student voice to bring attention to this issue,” she said, detailing the school initiatives aimed at raising awareness about subway surfing.

Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry outlined a multifaceted approach to tackle the issue, highlighting the use of drone technology and collaboration with social media platforms to remove harmful content. “The solution is multifaceted, and NYPD is committed to working hand-in-hand with the community to put an end to subway surfing,” he stated.

The emotional high point of the event came when Norma Nazario, who tragically lost her son Zachary to subway surfing, shared her heart-wrenching story. “Zach was only just 15 years old when he died riding on top of a subway… No mother should have to carry her child’s funeral card,” she lamented. Nazario urged social media companies to take responsibility, stating, “Stop pushing harmful challenges to our kids.”

Mayor Adams concluded the press conference with a plea for unity and action: “We can’t lose young people in this magnitude. We are calling on all New Yorkers to join us in this effort to protect our children and create a safer community.”