Vandals Force Straphangers to Buy Swipes at WaHi Station, Officials Say

Vandals Force Straphangers to Buy Swipes at WaHi Station, Officials Say Updated 5 hrs ago

February 10, 2011 4:19pm   Updated February 11, 2011 6:32am

Officials are trying to secure the A train 181st Street station in light of reported vandalism and predatory behavior.

By Carla Zanoni

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Officials are investigating a growing problem with vandalism and predatory activity at an unmanned A train station in Hudson Heights, according to police and the MTA.

Since the removal of a station agent at the A train station at 181st Street and Fort Washington Avenue last summer, residents have complained that a group of men rig the MTA's MetroCard machines so passengers cannot buy a card at the station and are forced to buy swipes from them if they want to gain entrance at the station.

During a Town Hall meeting organized by State Senator Adriano Espaillat on Wednesday evening, MTA spokesman Marcus Book said that the problem had been brought to his attention two weeks ago.

"We have an eye on the problem," Book said, adding that the MTA is in talks with police from the 34th precinct to secure the station. The MTA spokesman and a representative from the precinct said they were jointly examining the possibility of putting a surveillance camera in the unmanned booth.

Residents at the meeting said problems at the station have been growing since the MTA removed the station agent last summer, when the transit authority laid off hundreds of workers.

"We know there is no money, but this is our safety," said Washington Heights resident Maureen Wilkins. "There are days I avoid the station altogether out of fear of what I'll see when I get down there, but not everyone has that option."

By Carla Zanoni, DNAinfo.com
Follow Carla on Twitter @carlazanoni