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Bank CEO still riding the subway after Goldman Sachs murder

A tragic thing happened on the weekend. Yesterday, 48-year-old Daniel Enriquez was killed on the New York subway on his way to a brunch in Manhattan from his home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, when a gunman opened fire over Manhattan bridge.

Enriquez had spent nearly 10 years working as a research assistant for Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Goldman CEO David Solomon said today that he was a "beloved' member of the firm.

For many in finance, the murder is confirmation that the subway is best avoided. But Jefferies' CEO Rich Handler was still riding the subway to Jefferies' office in Madison Avenue this morning.  

"It's horrible what happened to that poor innocent person," said Handler via a direct message on social media. "I feel safe enough, but I certainly pay attention and feel like I need to be more “on guard” down there then ever," he added of his subway rides. "I have had a few uncomfortable situations, but most of them were “pre-covid.” I tell my daughter not to take it too early in the morning or later in the evening."

Handler has long been an advocate of public transport, and is a keen observer of social divide in contemporary America. In 2018, he wrote a letter to Jefferies' employees recounting an encounter with beggar on the subway who threatened to throw himself under a train unless someone gave him $20 (a Jefferies' colleague only had $50):  "With all of this good fortune in a world of confusion, pain and turmoil, comes the responsibility for all of us to give back to those in need."

Goldman Sachs' CEO David Solomon can also be found on the subway according to this 2019 article from CNBC. It's unclear whether JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon heeded mayor Eric Adams' recent edict that he should take the subway too. “We’re telling our corporate leaders: ‘Hey, get on the train!’” Adams told the Financial Times. “We need to advertise that New York is back.” Enriquez's sister Griselda Vile has called for Adams to make the city more safe. 

One senior trader tells us he hasn't taken the subway for nearly a year and that he either drives his own car, takes a cab or uses a Citibike to get around. Uber has started price-gouging, he complains: "They charged me $100 to get to work last week, and $26 for 3.2 miles this morning. It's nuts. It's going to drive people out of the cities."

Last year, Bank of America warned its New York juniors to dress down as they travelled to 1 Bryant Park. New York isn't the only city with problems: Citadel founder Ken Griffin has been threatening to leave Chicago over crime in the city; Citadel has been buiding its office in NYC.

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AUTHORSarah Butcher Global Editor
  • Th
    The world is tired
    23 May 2022

    The more "wokeness" takes over, the more dangerous communities become

  • Mr
    Mr Horse
    23 May 2022

    I think a lot of people are avoiding the subway lately myself included. There's still tons of empty office since people are WFH and let's be frank there are a lot of mentally unwell people living on the subway and riding the rails. That puts off a lot people. There's also the issue of a lot less of a police presence which also empowers attacks on passengers. Danger on the subway is always there. Even as a kid I was taught to be aware of my surroundings, but it has gotten a bit more dangerous over the last few years.It's also a bit sad since I personally think the subway is a great system and a lot cities around the world are lacking this kind of infrastructure. The city is lucky that we can ride from Citi Field to Coney Island for the cost of a slice of pizza.

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