SEPTA reports largest serious crime decline in agency's history

SEPTA reports lowering crime on its system as it continues to try to bring back riders who left during COVID.

Data released Thursday shows serious crime on SEPTA property is down 33 percent. That’s the largest decline in the transit agency’s history. SEPTA officials are crediting, in part, its largest police force in over a decade.

Along with the drop in robberies and assaults, SEPTA said thefts are also down. SEPTA officials called in reporters Thursday to crow about its improving crime numbers as it battles to bring back riders who abandoned SEPTA during COVID.

By the numbers:

The Market-Frankford line rolled into 13th Street Station Thursday and Don Coleman of Northeast Philly was about to jump on. SEPTA said passengers like Coleman rode a safer transit line in 2024 with serious crime on SEPTA dropping 33 percent. Chief Charles Lawson of the SEPTA Transit Police said, "Shooting incidents, robberies, aggravated assaults are all down and most of them significantly."

Chief Lawson continued, "We’re averaging a gun taken off the system a week, so over 50 guns off the system last year. That’s a record for us."

Lawson credits a beefed-up police force of 248 officers making arrests and pushing offenders into criminal court with forcing down crime. 

A SEPTA cop speaking to FOX 29 Thursday said violence is down along the line but the homeless, mentally challenged, drinking and drug use remain big problems.

The other side:

Rider Don Coleman is glad to hear the news but said he has yet to notice a change on board. He said, "It has been pretty much the same for, like, the last year. You kind of have to keep your head on a swivel, especially the trains. Keep your head on a swivel."

Rider Pat Kulp wants police to press even harder. Kulp said, "They have tried to do better by adding on these security people and more cops. They only do the minimum from what I see."

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