(Trigger warning: reader’s may find some of the content graphic and disturbing)
Debrina Kawam was tragically set on fire while sleeping on a New York City subway train on December 22. Despite a decrease in overall subway crime, Kawam’s death has raised significant safety concerns. Authorities are now seeking new strategies to enhance security in the transit system.
The Incident
The recent death of Debrina Kawam, a 57-year-old woman from New Jersey, has cast a dark shadow over the New York City subway system. Kawam was tragically set on fire while sleeping in a subway car near Coney Island on December 22, an act that has shocked the city and raised alarms about safety in one of the nation’s busiest transit systems.
Shocking footage of the incident surfaced, showing Kawam engulfed in flames as she lay on the train. The alleged perpetrator, Sebastián Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala, has been charged with murder and arson. Eyewitness accounts describe Zapeta-Calil using a lighter to ignite Kawam’s clothing and then fanning the flames with his shirt, while bystanders looked on in horror.
Kawam, who had recently moved to New York and had briefly interacted with the city’s homeless shelter system. Kawam was identified through fingerprint data, dental records, and DNA evidence. Originally from Toms River, New Jersey, she had turned to the subway for shelter that fateful morning.
A Broader Context of Violence
Kawam’s death is part of a disturbing trend in New York City’s subways. While overall crime rates have seen a decline in recent years, the number of murders has risen sharply. In 2024, the NYPD recorded ten murders in the subway system, the highest rate since 1997. This statistic looms even larger in the context of a series of violent incidents that have occurred recently, including stabbings and assaults.
On New Year’s Eve, a man was seriously injured after being pushed onto the tracks at the Chelsea 18th Street station. The following days saw further violence, including a stabbing on a 2 train and an attack on an MTA cleaner at the Pelham Parkway station.
Adding to the anxiety among commuters, earlier this month, a jury acquitted Daniel Penny of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless former Michael Jackson impersonator. Neely had been shouting angrily at passengers on a subway train when Penny intervened, restraining him in a chokehold for several minutes. This case has sparked debate about the use of force and the complexities surrounding mental health in public spaces.
Public Perception and Safety Measures
Despite the statistics indicating a reduction in major crimes on the subway—down 5.4% in 2024 compared to the previous year—public fear remains palpable. Many riders express anxiety about their safety when using the subway, often citing recent violent incidents as the catalyst for their concerns. Tunde Cousins, a subway rider, had this to say.
I make sure I’m away from the [platform] edge. And you just be vigilant, you know, just look around.
The sentiment echoes the feelings of many New Yorkers who rely on the subway for their daily commutes.
As these violent incidents continue to unfold, New Yorkers are left questioning their safety and the effectiveness of measures in place to protect the public. The city’s leadership faces mounting pressure to address these challenges and restore confidence in its transit system and public safety.
Anger From Transit Supervisors Organization
New York’s Transit Supervisors Organization President Philip Valenti had this to say.
New Yorkers have been forced into a terrible and unfair position. You can pay $9 to enter the congestion pricing zone or take the subway, where violent crime is soaring. At least some drivers will be afraid to take the subway, undermining the entire purpose of congestion pricing.
He blames MTA Chairman Janno Lieber and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Hochul Responds
Responding to Valenti and the rising fear among subway riders, Hochul announced a new strategy to bolster safety. Starting Monday, the 20th of January, users of the nation’s largest subway system will begin to see an increased police presence on every overnight train.
I’m not waiting, Monday you will start seeing the increased presence on the overnight trains. The $77 million strategy will put 750 additional police officers on platforms and in stations and 300 more officers on overnight trains.
Hochul also mentioned other updates.
We’ve doubled the number of law enforcement personnel in the New York City subway system in one year.
The governor said most of the crimes committed on the subway system occur during overnight hours.
There is a lot of anxiety on these trains late at night. I want to tamper that down.
The city’s leadership faces mounting pressure to address these challenges and restore confidence in its transit system and public safety.
Conclusion
The tragic story of Debrina Kawam highlights not only the individual loss of life but also the systemic issues facing New York City’s subway system. As the city grapples with rising fears of violence and safety, the need for comprehensive solutions becomes more urgent than ever. Only through community support and infrastructure investment can New York hope to restore trust and safety in its iconic subway system.
