Conductor Slashed in Vicious Attack; Davis Calls for Deployment of MTA Police

FEBRUARY 29 -- In the early hours of this morning, Alton Scott, 59, a dedicated New York City Transit Conductor with 24 years of service, was brutally assaulted while on duty at the Rockaway Avenue subway platform on the A-line at Fulton Street, Brooklyn. Mr. Scott was making routine observations from the cab window of his train when he was viciously slashed in the neck at about 3:40 AM. This heinous act of violence highlights the urgent need for increased safety measures to protect our essential transit workers. Scott was transported to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center where he received 34 stitches to a gaping wound, including 25 to the deep end, and another nine sutures to help close it up.

TWU Local 100 Union President Richard Davis said: "The law is clear: our safety is in the hands of our employer. But we need better protection now, before we lose one of our own. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: statistics mean nothing until the violence stops.”

“This is attempted murder. The wound on Mr. Scott's neck is too close to his carotid artery. We're at a breaking point where we can't do our jobs safely. The city is in crisis, and the target is on our backs.

“Janno Lieber's MTA police force of 1000 officers must be immediately deployed to the metro NYC area. We're facing heinous crimes and brutal assaults. Enough is enough."

The TWU calls on the MTA and city officials to prioritize the deployment of resources to combat these senseless acts of violence. Our thoughts are with Mr. Scott and his family during this difficult time, and we stand in solidarity with all transit workers who continue to bravely serve our city.