Calls to ban wearing masks in public are sparking debate in New York City. Supporters argue that such a decision could help reduce crime in the subway system, while critics warn that the measure could infringe on civil liberties. VOA correspondent Aron Ranen provides more details on these positions.
It is another routine afternoon in New York City’s subway system, where millions of people use the trains to get around the city every day.
According to an article in the “New York Times,” the total number of crimes in the subway has decreased, but incidents such as assaults and murders have increased since 2019.
Suspects often wear masks to conceal their identities while committing crimes, raising concerns about safety among New Yorkers.
“Masks make them unidentifiable, and this anonymity actually emboldens them to commit crimes. They think that if they have a mask on, it will be harder to catch them,” says Felipe Rodriguez, a former investigator with the New York Police Department.
Some local politicians are advocating for tougher measures. In August, New York City’s Nassau area banned people from concealing their faces in public. The head of this unit, Bruce Blakeman, who led efforts for such a measure, signed the decision.
“There are many cases where criminals used masks to hide their identity. We’ve had situations where they robbed stores and committed other crimes. There are exceptions for wearing masks, such as health or religious reasons, but other than that, there is no strong reason to wear a mask in public,” Blakeman said.
Constitutional law expert Ilya Shapiro from the Manhattan Institute agrees that banning masks could be an effective tool in the fight against crime.
“Just as it was a tool against the Ku Klux Klan, banning masks could be a tool against criminals and terrorists of this era, whether it’s right-wing militias, criminals, or gangsters,” Shapiro explained.
However, civil rights advocates warn that banning masks could violate individual freedoms.
“Whenever the government dictates what a person can and cannot do in a public space and criminalizes wearing a certain type of clothing, there is a constitutional problem. And this raises concerns about government overreach into people’s lives,” said Beth Haroules from the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Meanwhile, New Yorkers are divided on whether face concealment should be banned in the city’s subway system. Some argue it is necessary to curb criminal activity, while others fear it is an excessive measure.
“I don’t think there should be a ban on masks. I think people should be allowed to choose what they want to do,” said Brittany Atkinson, a New York resident.
“If you don’t have a medical reason to wear a mask, you shouldn’t wear one at all. There are people using them to commit crimes, to hide their identity, and they’re causing chaos in the city,” said Daniel Sanchez, another New York resident.
As the debate continues, New Yorkers face the challenge of finding a balance between safety and individual liberties in one of the busiest subway systems in the world. /VOA
