CRIME IS RIDING EXPRESS

Transit cops on grill over subway spike

Crime is soaring in the city’s subway system — and transit police bosses were summoned to headquarters to explain the alarming spike, The Post has learned.

Overall subway crime is up almost 20 percent in the month ending Sunday compared with the same period in 2014, fueled by robberies and grand larcenies, police data show.

Subway robberies have soared 65 percent in the past 28 days through June 14, and have risen 10 percent this year, the data show.

Chief of Department James O’Neill and NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Fox called in commanders for a threehour Compstat-style meeting at police headquarters — the first of its kind during Commissioner Bill Bratton’s second stint as top cop.

“There has been a spike, more so in Manhattan than other boroughs, in crime recently,” Fox, who noted overall subway crime fell 12 percent in the past week, told The Post.

“This was the perfect time, with an increase in Manhattan, with a spike in assaults.”

The meeting last Thursday morning at 1 Police Plaza included commanding officers, detective sergeants and lieutenants from transit bureaus all over the city.

O’Neill and Deputy Commissioner of Operations Dermot Shea grilled them about repeat subway criminals and how cops are deployed, lawenforcement sources said.

One recent transit crime brought up was that of a rider attacked with a beach chair by a homeless man.

Detectives also were told to obtain more surveillance for underground crimes, lawenforcement sources added.

Commanding officers also talked to one another about their subway lines.

“This is an opportunity for us to say this is what’s happening on the whole line,” Fox said.

The NYPD has also begun introducing peer training — where veteran transit cops pair up with rookies and teach them how to spot criminals such as pickpockets.

“Half of victims don’t know they’re crime victims until hours later because it’s pickpockets, it’s larcenies from sleeping passengers,” Fox said.

The department also added overtime in April and more cops in Manhattan.

Transit cops also have been taking to social media to fight crime, including sharing subway safety tips on Periscope.

Overall, arrests are down this year in the city’s transit bureaus by 15 percent. This includes a 50 percent drop in panhandler arrests.

Turns tile jumping busts have risen in the past 28 days, but are down 14 percent for the year.

Many subway riders said Monday they want to see more cops.

“You never know when somebody is going to push you,” said Chrissy Joseph, 52, of Brooklyn. “More police in the station would help. When I see the cops, I feel safe.”

Marie Sonko, 34, said recently saw a beast pummeling his girlfriend on the A train.

“I think they need more of a police presence in the cars,” Sonko said.

Additional reporting by Sarah Trefethen & Natasha Velez