Over the past two weeks, at least three women have shared accounts on TikTok of being unexpectedly punched in the face while walking the streets of New York City.

Mikayla Toninato, a student at Parsons School of Design, recounted on TikTok three days ago how she was struck out of nowhere while leaving class and checking her phone to send a text.

In a subsequent post, she detailed how she was walking towards the Union Square subway station between 14th Street and Fifth Avenue when a stranger punched her face without warning, continuing on as if nothing had happened.

Similar attacks have occurred in the Greenwich Village area, known for its historically affluent neighborhoods. Olivia Brand was punched on March 17 in the Soho and Nolita vicinity, approximately a mile further downtown. Halley Kate also experienced an assault in lower Manhattan, momentarily losing consciousness after being hit in the face by a man, as she described on TikTok. All three women have reported these incidents to the police, as per their TikTok posts. Fortune reached out to them for comment but did not receive a response.

These incidents of random violence follow two notable subway incidents in New York City in recent months and are indicative of a surge in street violence in the city. On February 12, a shooting at a Bronx subway platform resulted in one fatality and five injuries. Approximately two weeks later, a subway train conductor had his neck slashed by an individual on the platform, with a doctor on board the train coming to his aid. Then, on Monday, an unidentified victim was fatally pushed onto the tracks of an East Harlem station. The suspect, described by his mother and officials as suffering from psychological issues, has been accused of the crime, according to the Associated Press.

Is it all the same person who’s punching these young New Yorkers?

Two individuals have been arrested by the police in connection with the punching incidents reported by women on TikTok. One of them is Skiboky Stora, a 40-year-old resident of Brooklyn, who faces five charges including harassment and assault with intent to cause physical injury, as per court documents. Stora’s court appearance regarding the punching incidents is scheduled for April 3.

Additionally, Mallik Miah, a 30-year-old resident of Brooklyn, was arrested on Thursday as part of an investigation into a reported punching incident involving a 27-year-old woman who suffered injuries to her right eye.

In a statement provided to Fortune, the NYPD acknowledged a viral video circulating on social media depicting a woman being randomly assaulted. The department stated that the individual responsible for the assault has been apprehended and charged, noting that the individual has a significant criminal record.

Based on the accounts provided by the women involved, it remains unclear if all the attacks were carried out by the same person. Mikayla Toninato, one of the victims, mentioned that since her TikTok video gained widespread attention, she has received messages from other women who have experienced similar incidents. However, Toninato expressed concern that descriptions of the perpetrator vary among victims, suggesting that multiple individuals may be involved in such assaults. Nonetheless, ongoing investigations prevent confirmation of Toninato’s speculation at this stage.

But I thought NYC crime rates were improving?

During the 1990s, crime rates in New York experienced a significant decline, as reported by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Despite this positive trend, the city had previously grappled with alarming crime rates for several decades, with the U.S. Department of Justice labeling the 1970s as a “decade of violence.” However, recent violent incidents on New York’s subway system, such as the Bronx subway shooting and a conductor having his neck slashed, have reignited concerns about violent crime in the city.

In response to these incidents, political leaders have intensified efforts to enhance public safety in communal spaces. On March 6, New York Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a comprehensive five-point plan aimed at enhancing subway safety. The plan includes increasing the presence of public police officers by 1,000, mandating bag checks by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and National Guard, expanding the installation of security cameras, and extending programs that facilitate support for individuals experiencing mental health crises.

Subsequently, on Thursday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams introduced a pilot program to deploy free-standing scanners designed to detect firearms at subway station entrances. However, there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the implementation and testing of this new technology in the city. Despite doubts regarding the effectiveness of the scanners, particularly due to allegations against Evolv Technology, the company providing the scanners, the program also involves a $20 million investment to expand subway outreach teams and deploy clinicians to assist individuals with severe untreated mental illness in accessing mental health treatment.

While recent events may suggest a resurgence of violence in New York City, overall crime in the transit system actually decreased by nearly 16% in March compared to the previous year, according to data from the mayor’s office. However, subway-related arrests have increased by almost 56% since the beginning of 2024, with a staggering 111% rise in gun-related arrests. Beyond the subway system, citywide incident rates for crimes such as murder, rape, grand larceny, and burglary have all decreased in the past two years, according to reports from the New York Police Department.

This contrasts starkly with the city’s troubled past, characterized by widespread crime from the 1970s to the 1990s. Notable events include the Bronx arson crisis in the ’70s, fueled by community outrage over neglect and urban disinvestment, as well as the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of the Central Park Five for a rape case, one of whom, Yusef Salaam, later secured a seat on the New York City Council in November.

Despite the calls for increased police presence to enhance safety, many New Yorkers believe that alternative approaches are necessary, as indicated by a prominent policy survey conducted by NYC Speak. Priorities include addressing affordable housing, reducing homelessness rates, and bolstering the number of trained mental health first responders.

However, social media platforms have amplified awareness of the various crimes occurring throughout the city, prompting one victim to offer cautionary advice in a TikTok post: “Stay vigilant and be hyper-aware of your surroundings.”