'Neighborhood' policing in subways: Transit cops to get regular beats

The NYPD is taking neighborhood policing underground into the subways. Under a new initiative rolling out in parts of the Bronx and Brooklyn, riders will begin to see the same pair of officers on their trains and in their local stations.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said riders will learn the names of the officers and will be able to communicate with them. The mayor called the program a "game changer" that will make subways safer.

Subway riders in Transit District 12 in the Bronx and Transit District 30 in Brooklyn will start to see signs that identify their local neighborhood coordinating officers by name and provide their email.

Chief of Transit Edward Delatorre said he hopes riders contact the officers to discuss concerns or problems. If the officers can't resolve the issue over email, they can contact a station manager and perhaps set up a meeting, he said.

De Blasio said the new initiative could also help address the city's ongoing homeless crisis because officers will get to know the homeless New Yorkers in their stations and trains and can help outreach staff.