Politicians call on MTA to act after subway shoving death

Two New York politicians are calling on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to enact or expand existing proposals, initiatives and pilot programs to protect commuters after two recent subway shoving deaths. 

State Senator Jose Peralta and City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer want the MTA to consider installing sliding doors on subway platforms in as many stations as it is financially feasible to do so. 

The most recent shoving attack took place at the in Flushing at the 40th Street-Lowery stop on the No. 7 Line, where the victim, 46-year-old Sunando Sen was pushed in front of an oncoming train by 31-year-old Erika Menendez. 

Menendez was charged with murder as a Hate Crime on Saturday. 

Sen, who lived in the Elmhurst section of Queens, is located in Van Bramer's district.  

"In less than a month, two of my constituents have been pushed onto subway tracks and killed," Senator Peralta said. "I urge the MTA to immediately act on common-sense measures to improve rider safety and security." 

The two politicians said they want a swift evaluation and accelerated implementation of the Help Point Intercom system, which includes a feature to connect subway riders directly to the Rail Control Center in the event of emergency. 

They also called for security cameras at more stations and ensuring they are operational. Station security cameras captured the shoving incident in Midtown Manhattan involving Ki-Suck Han who was killed at subway station on December 3. 

There were no station platform camera images available for Thursday's attack in Queens.  

"The recent tragedy at the 40th Street No. 7 train station highlights the need to seriously examine platform and subway station security protocols," Council Member Van Bramer said. "New Yorkers rely on their subway system every day and must be safe going to and from work. These proposals, many enacted in other large cities, merit serious consideration by the MTA and I hope ultimately will be implemented."