Increased Patrols, Security Cameras Boost WMATA Safety Program
As part of the initiative, customers will see special police officers walking trains and buses to provide a sense of security and address illegal activity in real time.
In 2023, WMATA increased patrols by 70% through partnerships with local law enforcement and special police officers. Additionally, enforcement is up 300% overall, and new faregates in multiple locations have led to a decrease in fare evasion at those stations.
Credit:
WMATA/Larry Levine
2 min to read
To ensure the safety and comfort of customers and employees, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is increasing the visibility of Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) officers in stations and incorporating more frequent patrols throughout the system.
As part of the initiative, customers will see special police officers walking trains and buses to provide a sense of security and address illegal activity in real time, while announcements will be made over train intercoms to alert customers officers are on board and actively patrolling.
Ad Loading...
Leveraging Tech
To supplement this effort, WMATA is also utilizing more than 30,000 cameras on buses, trains, and in stations, making it possible for MTPD to respond to incidents and emergencies faster.
The state-of-the-art cameras provide clear images that are often used by MTPD and other local law enforcement agencies to identify suspects and make arrests.
In 2023, WMATA increased patrols by 70% through partnerships with local law enforcement and special police officers. Additionally, enforcement is up 300% overall, and new faregates in multiple locations have led to a decrease in fare evasion at those stations.
As a result of these combined efforts, the agency has seen a 14% decrease in crime. Meanwhile, ridership on Metrorail has increased 24% year to date and Metrobus ridership is up 15%.
For the Customers
WMATA's approach to improving safety also includes a focus on empathy and collaboration with the communities they serve. With eight crisis intervention specialists on staff and hundreds of community/youth outreach events held each year, MTPD always stands ready to serve the region in an impactful way.
Ad Loading...
"As ridership increases, we want customers to see our officers and feel confident that we're doing our part to keep them safe,” said Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Anzallo. “We hope customers will interact with the special police officers during their patrols and develop a rapport that promotes positive community connections."
As WMATA's focus on safety continues to evolve, customers will see additional changes throughout the system. The agency has made lighting in stations brighter, added courtesy stops during late-night hours on Metrobuses to allow customers to get off closer to their destination, improved station signage, and added more prominent safety information.
The authority is also rolling out a safety campaign on social media and digital signs throughout the region to illustrate how these efforts will enhance customer experience and cut down on crime.
Customers have always been able to report concerns through the CATS Customer Service line or the “Report a Problem to CATS” feature in the CATS-Pass mobile app; however, CATS has also integrated a Text-a-Tip line, giving riders multiple, easy-to-use channels to get support.
The audit found multiple safety compliance failures at the Charlotte agency, citing elevated assault risks and ordering corrective action within 30 days.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
The new filters include substantially more activated carbon than traditional HVAC filters, which is especially helpful in providing a better transit riding experience for vulnerable populations, particularly children, seniors, and people with chronic illnesses, according to the CTA.
MCTS officials said the new pilots are part of a broader commitment to improving the rider experience through proactive, visible safety strategies that balance enforcement with customer support.
In a recent episode of METROspectives, LYT CEO Timothy Menard discusses how artificial intelligence, cloud connectivity, and real-time data are transforming traffic management, boosting bus reliability, and enabling system-wide transit optimization across cities.
METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.
