A news report finds arrests for a familiar, small-time New York City crime — subway fare-beating — have shot up by nearly 70 percent in the last five years.
The Daily News published the report Monday. The newspaper analyzed subway arrests in which fare evasion was the most serious charge.
They rose from about 14,700 in 2008 to 24,750 last year, and they're on pace to be slightly higher this year.
Tens of thousands more accused turnstile-jumpers get ticketed, not arrested.
Defense attorney Justine Olderman says many of those arrested are trying to get home, to school or to work and don't have the means to pay.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Kevin Ortiz says turnstile-jumping costs the agency up to $100 million a year.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
