Cameras have been installed at the Park Place subway station to stop vandals from pressing the stop button. Photo: Grace Cha

In the tense and rushed atmosphere of the New York City subway stations, ever feel like someone's watching you? Don't be surprised.

Aside from the occasional side-glances given by various passers-by, if you're in the Lexington and 51st Street subway station, the camera eye is also watching.

Last December, the station managers at a few subway stations have requested that surveillance cameras be installed near the escalators to help nab vandals that are the main cause for escalator breakdowns. When vandals attack the emergency escalator stop button the camera will be there to record it.

"Cameras are usually deterrents," said Anyansi. "You usually think twice before you do something."

The Daily News reported that the police caught two pranksters shortly after the cameras were installed last December and other unidentified vandals. Cameras are also installed at the Park Place station near City Hall where the emergency button is laid bare at the foot of the escalator. Anyansi said station managers watch the tapes as they are rolling in the stations.

"They can react right away if something happens," Anyansi said. Anyansi said, in addition to vandalism, caught clothing and items also cause escalators to break down. Umbrellas and other items get stuck in escalator steps. Depending on the problem, Anyansi said, escalators could be out for a few days or a week.

"It can be very dangerous if your coat gets stuck, it can drag you in," he said. "We also ask customers to hold on to the handrail."

At the Park Place station, commuters are greeted with digital signs at the foot of the escalator before going up, and at the top before going down. The signs have been installed to remind people to fold and carry strollers, pick up umbrellas and other items and to hold onto handrails and watch their step. It also reminds them to "Ride Safe" up what can be a steep and treacherous travel.

Beverly Weathers, 29, is happily surprised that elevators work so well most of the time. She recalled that in November 1998, when she frequented the station at Park Place, the escalators were "always broken." She said everybody was forced to walk up or down - an experiment in frustration.

"People are always moving along very slow," said Weathers, a secretary. "I don't want to be nasty and tell them to get out of the way, but sometimes I just had to, you know."

Weathers said she'd like to see elevators installed at the station.

"That walk -- it's a lot of stairs, even going down, for an old person -- it's scary," she said.

Anyansi said the MTA is trying install cameras at any new stations. Anyansi said the transit authority is trying to install cameras at any new stations. The newly rehabilitated stations have them, and they are also used to monitor the night passageways.