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Commuter Safety Questioned After White Plains Train Station Incident

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- An incident on Wednesday in White Plains may leave commuters wondering if their train stations are safe.

Photo Credit: Suzanne Samin

At around 11 a.m., a 21-year-old White Plains woman was injured when she was pushed in front of an oncoming Metro North train at the White Plains train station.

According to a report by LoHud.com, the woman suffered leg trauma.

The suspect, according to witnesses, appeared to be a homeless individual.

Howard Mickens, 39, who lives in a White Plains shelter, was taken into custody by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority police.

According to Gary Waxman, 50, owner of Waxman's News at the train station, the station's population of homeless people has been on the increase.

"They wait around in the front, and they ask you for money. When you don't give it to them, they berate you, because they're deranged, and then you have what happened to this poor young woman," he said. 

Alexandra Diaz, 18, of Valhalla, was on the train on her way to school when she heard about the incident.

She said she's never felt threatened by homeless people at the train station.

"I still feel safe," she said. "I actually know a lot of the homeless guys who hang around the White Plains station. The ones I know are nice. I've never heard of someone throwing a lady in front of a train. That's just crazy."

Marjorie Anders, spokeswoman for the MTA, refused to characterize the suspect as homeless, but asserted that commuters are safe.

"Our trains and train stations are very safe," she said, "This situation is very unusual. People just need to be alert of their surroundings and keep a safe distance from the edge of the platform." 

Do you feel safe at Metro-North train stations? Join the conversation below and let The Daily Voice know what you think.

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