NYPD Drones Deployed to Combat Deadly Subway Surfing Trend

New York City officials intensify efforts to prevent subway surfing fatalities, urging social media companies to curb dangerous viral content.

Mayor Eric Adams highlights the NYPD's drone program, which has spotted 114 subway surfers, as a life-saving initiative despite six deaths this year.
The drone program, which began as a pilot last year, conducts flights over the J, M, Z, and 7 subway lines during peak after-school hours.
Recent fatalities include two 13-year-olds who died in separate incidents, prompting increased calls for social media platforms to remove subway surfing videos.
Subway surfing has surged in popularity, partly fueled by a mobile game, with the MTA reporting a quadrupling of incidents since 2021.
The city has launched public awareness campaigns, including cautionary slogans and educational videos, to discourage the dangerous practice.