Violent crime, shootings on SEPTA down over 30%, transit agency says

Violent crime and shootings on the Philadelphia region’s public transit system fell by over 30% through the third quarter of 2024, according to data from the SEPTA Transit Police Department.

On Wednesday, SEPTA reported a 34% decline in serious crimes in its system and shootings are down 31% in 2024 compared to this time last year.

SEPTA also says its police department exceeds the national average in identifying and apprehending suspects in serious crimes.

“SEPTA Transit Police has a tremendous impact on safety across the system,” SEPTA CEO Leslie Richards said in a news release. “Despite financial constraints, we are committed to recruiting and retaining talented police officers and providing them with the resources they need to protect our customers and employees.”

Data shows a 38.8% decrease in the most violent crimes on SEPTA – robberies are down 47.6%, aggravated assault is down 22.5% and homicides are down 20%. Property crimes are also down in SEPTA, with data showing a 31.8% decline in that area – thefts are down 33.4%.

SEPTA police made arrests in 57% of violent crime cases, which is 20% higher than the national average, according to the public transportation agency. According to SEPTA, the clearance rate for critical incidents such as shootings and stabbings is 92% and for shootings is 91%.

SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson pointed to the system’s more than 30,000 cameras. his virtual patrol unitAnd increased police patrols as reasons for the decline in violent crime.

“This data is evidence that if you commit a crime on SEPTA, you should expect to be caught,” Lawson said.

SEPTA holds public meetings on fare increases

While violent crime is down on SEPTA, Fares are set to rise on the system.

SEPTA is holding public hearings Wednesday to discuss the fare increases. The first hearing began at 10 a.m. and the second is scheduled for 4 p.m

Here’s what SEPTA proposes:

• $2.50 base rate for key, debit or credit cards
• Increase for most regional rail rides, with increases up to about $1 per ride
• Some discounted fares will be discontinued

SEPTA claims the fare increases will help close a $240 million funding gap.

“Too many people are getting on the bus for free, and I think that’s the problem here,” a SEPTA driver said at the 10 a.m. public meeting. “You lose a lot of money with the free riders. So people pay a quarter, 50 cents, $1, $2. So they increase it to $2.50 for those who pay by card. These people will still continue to pay the same thing they are paying. So who will be punished?

What is SEPTA doing about fare evasion?

Last month, SEPTA has expanded its pilot program to take action against fare evaders by approving the purchase 100 full-length ticket windows for nine additional stations. The new gates will be installed at Somerset, Huntingdon, Cecil B. Moore, 11th Street, 13th Street, Frankford Transportation Center, Allegheny, 52nd Street and City Hall stations.

The 100 gates are expected to be installed by the end of 2025.

James Zuggi, SEPTA transit police inspector, says fare evasion and crime in the system are often linked, and that’s why transit police have made this issue a top priority. Zuggi, who has worked for the department for 25 years, said police investigations have shown a connection between fare evasion and crimes committed on SEPTA.

“Most, if not all, criminals use black money to penetrate the system,” Zuggi said. “We have found that this is one of the factors that helps to combat crime in the system and thus combat tax evasion.”

Zuggi says crime has dropped since SEPTA Transit Police began enforcing fare evasion.

“If we push them through at the gate. Because if you break a rule or a law to get into our system, of course everything is at stake at that point. As soon as you come in, you feel like there is legitimacy,” Zuggi said. “We want to try to address this at the gate, let them know, people coming onto our system, that the police are out here and that there are rules if you want to enter our system, that’s what we call our code.” Behave. What is expected of our drivers in a driver system.

According to SEPTA, the gates use 3D imaging technology to distinguish between adults, children and objects. SEPTA also claims the technology can accurately detect fugitives who might try to hook up with a paying rider or force their way through the gates.

SEPTA says it loses at least $30 million annually due to fare evasion. The transportation authority expects the pilot program to increase the 69th Street Transportation Center’s annual revenue by $300,000.