by A high-tech NYPD drone captured four thrill-seeking kids — one as young as 12 — subway surfing in The Bronx last week, marking the department’s 200th arrest since launching its crackdown on the life-threatening stunt in late 2023.
According to police, the incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, when a northbound No. 6 train was spotted traveling under the Westchester Avenue Bridge with four young individuals riding dangerously on top.
The stunt was caught on camera by the Technical Assistance Response Unit, a division within the NYPD that uses drone technology to track illegal activity. The footage shows the four juveniles, ranging in age from 12 to 16, climbing onto the speeding train, lining up in formation, and even pulling out their phones to record themselves. Some were seen jumping and jiggling atop the train as it sped beneath the bridge.
Police intercepted the train at the Parkchester station, where the youths were taken into custody and charged with reckless endangerment, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday.
“These apprehensions marked the 200th subway surfing apprehension by the Drone Team’s operations since deployment began in November of 2023,” the spokesperson said. “That’s 200 lives potentially saved in just the last 20 months.”
A Deadly Trend Among Teens
Subway surfing has surged as a dangerous trend among city teens, with some attempting the stunt for online clout, often at the risk of serious injury or death.
- On July 4, a 15-year-old boy tragically fell to his death from a No. 7 train pulling into Queensborough Plaza around 2:45 a.m.
- Last month, a teen was critically injured during a subway surfing attempt in The Bronx.
- Earlier this year, a 24-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a Manhattan train in a separate surfing incident.
The recent wave of accidents has prompted repeated warnings from city officials and transit authorities.
Officials Urge Parents to Step In
The MTA and NYPD have continually urged parents to talk with their children about the dangers of subway surfing.
“This is not a game — it’s deadly,” an MTA official said earlier this year. “We’re pleading with parents to intervene before it’s too late.”
With arrests now reaching 200, police say they will continue to deploy drones and surveillance technology in an effort to deter risky behavior and prevent further tragedies in the New York City subway system.
