For Sarah Appiah, a longtime resident of West Harlem, the subway is an integral part of her daily routine. Although she still rides the subway every day, Appiah said she is fearful of transit crime, a sentiment echoed by many New Yorkers. In response to growing safety concerns, last month, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that two cameras will be installed in each New York City subway car by 2025.

In the annual mayor’s management report published last month, the New York City Department of Education wrote that two of its goals this year are to “improve academic achievement” and “focus on equity.” But data released alongside the report shows disparities in school district attendance rates, demonstrating that these goals are not being achieved in all parts of the city—and especially not in West Harlem.