Hochul signs a watered-down subway safety law that doesn’t mandate platform cameras

The MTA is encouraged — but not required — to install surveillance cameras on all of its subway platforms under a watered-down version of “Sedrick’s Law” signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday.

Sedrick’s law, originally proposed by Brooklyn Democrats Rep. Rodneyse Bichotte and Senator Kevin Parker, would have required the MTA to install cameras on all of its subway platforms within six months of the law’s enactment.

But the castrated language that ultimately earned Hochul’s signature only states that the MTA “reasonably maintains” cameras throughout the system and that they “may” and not “should” on the platforms.

The changes made to her original proposal “allow flexibility for possible camera placement changes to ensure maximum security, due to a looming budget gap in NYC and ongoing major redevelopment projects for the MTA transit system,” Bichotte told The Post.

Traffic officials already maintain “more than 11,000” cameras at every station in the system, an agency spokesman said.

“We appreciate the Legislature’s support for the MTA’s ongoing camera security program, which has already installed cameras at all 472 subway stations,” said MTA Communications Director Tim Minton.

“We agree that the use of cameras throughout the system serves to deter crime and provide material assistance in investigating crime and apprehending those responsible.”

The MTA’s security camera program came under scrutiny in April after a gunman injured 10 people on a subway platform in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

Station cameras that could have caught the incident and its aftermath were down at the time of the shooting – leading to several ongoing investigations.

Brooklynite Sedrick Simon died in 2019 after being hit by a train at a train station without platform cameras.

Bichotte, Simon’s MP, proposed her bill in 2020 and again after the Sunset Park shooting.

Simon’s sister, Jennifer Muhammad, said she was unaware the law had been changed but nonetheless welcomed its passage.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t all we were looking for, but I’m glad something was done to bring about a preservation that recognizes the lives that have been lost due to the negligence of not having cameras on the platform.” said.

“This is the beginning, a very good and strong beginning to bring about change and accountability for the MTA.”