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Richard Falco
For a period, crime in the New York City Subway surged, largely driven by teenage offenders preying on unsuspecting riders. Pickpocketing, robbery, and assaults were the most common offenses. Many of these youths operated alone or in small groups, often without any clear plan or leadership. Because of their predatory behavior, they earned the nickname “wolf packs,” targeting commuters they considered easy prey.
To address this problem, the New York Transit Police created specialized Decoy or S.O.S. (Special Operations) units. Once a particular area exhibited a pattern of repeated crimes, the unit would be dispatched. Officers, disguised to protect their identities, carried out carefully planned operations. One officer would pose as a decoy, pretending to be drunk, defenseless, or otherwise vulnerable, often wearing items like gold chains or bracelets to attract criminals. Meanwhile, other team members, also in disguise, stayed hidden at a distance to observe without revealing the operation. When a crime was committed, the entire team moved quickly to make arrests. Suspects were handcuffed on the spot and transported to the nearest police station for booking. |
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