SEPTA reports its largest one-year drop in serious crime

SEPTA on Thursday reported its largest one-year drop in serious crime, and touted their once short-staffed police force that is now its largest in over a decade.

Data shared by the nation's seventh-largest transit system showed a 33% decrease in serious crime, which includes violent crimes and shootings. 

"We want our customers to know that SEPTA has made significant strides in our efforts to improve the safety and security of the system," SEPTA GM Scott Sauer said. 

SEPTA says its largest police force in more than a decade has helped beat back crime, and a retooled focus on cleanliness has gotten positive reviews from riders.

"We are embracing a back-to-basics approach with employees at all levels refocusing on improving safety, customer service, and reliability," Sauer said.

By the numbers:

SEPTA says serious crime, including aggravated assaults and robberies, dropped by 34% in a year span – it's the largest decrease in SEPTA's 43-year history.

Robberies on SEPTA property fell by nearly 100 from 2023 to 2024, and shootings dropped by 25%.

  • Homicide: - 33.3%
  • Rape: 0%
  • Robbery: - 41.7%
  • Aggravated assault: -19.4
  • Burglary: 0%
  • Theft: - 35%
  • Auto theft: +7.7%
  • Arson: 40%
  • Shooting incidents: - 25%

SEPTA highlighted a "significant reduction in robberies after year-over-year increases for the past five years.

What they're saying:

SEPTA says its success at thwarting crime is partially because it now has its largest police force in more than a decade, with 248 officers on staff. 

"We are continuing with successful recruitment efforts, including 16 new officers who started their careers at SEPTA last month and 13 recruits who began academy this week," SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson said. 

SEPTA's bulked up police force comes just two years after it suffered a "historical shortage" in officers. Lawson says SEPTA is continuing to hire experienced police officers from other departments.

SEPTACrime & Public SafetyNews