The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is experiencing year-over-year decreases in customer reports of illicit drug activity for the 13th consecutive month. On average, year-over-year reports are down 65% each month in 2025.

June also marked the first time in more than three years that illicit drug activity was not the most frequently reported customer incident type. RTD has also recorded year-over-year declines in security-related calls for service in every month of 2025.

In 2023, RTD averaged 247 customer reports of illicit drug activity per month, with 350 incidents reported in January of that year. The monthly average declined to 177 in 2024 and has continued to drop, reaching 78 in 2025 (to date).

Customer reports of illicit drug activity accounted for nearly 60% of all Transit Watch reports received by RTD in 2023. Incident reports have declined by roughly two-thirds over the past two years. Last month, illicit drug activity represented 21% of all customer-reported incidents that the agency received via its Transit Watch mobile app.

RTD Transit Police Boost Visibility, Reduce Security Reports

RTD launched a Security-Related Metrics webpage earlier this year, detailing RTD Transit Police Department (RTD-PD) metrics and activity reports.

The online information includes the number of security-related calls for service, incidents reported via the Transit Watch app, reports of illicit drug activity, rail fare checks, arrests, and calls for service per customer boarding, among other security metrics. The webpage also provides a breakdown of customer reports submitted via the Transit Watch app, dating back to January 2023. 

Security-related calls for service, a metric that includes calls and text messages to the RTD-PD Dispatch Center, as well as radio communications and incidents reported via Transit Watch, have also seen double-digit year-over-year decreases, dating back to July 2024.

According to an agency release, security-related calls for service reflect a wide range of customer and officer reports, including graffiti, noise complaints, illicit drug activity, theft, unattended bags, and other personal safety concerns.  

RTD Chief of Police and Emergency Management Steve Martingano attributes the increased visibility of the agency's officers as a significant factor in a systemwide reduction of security-related reports.

"RTD-PD is taking a more proactive approach with officers actively patrolling areas, and we're using metrics to identify high-need areas for increased patrols," Martingano said. "In sharing our metrics with customers and the public, we're working to be transparent and help the communities we serve understand RTD's commitment to their personal safety and security."

Fare Checks Surge 500% Under RTD's Safety Strategy

While security-related calls and reports through the Transit Watch app declined, transit police officers simultaneously increased the number of proactive fare checks.

RTD-PD officers and security personnel conducted 439,961 rail fare checks in July 2025 alone. That number reflects an increase of more than 500% in fare checks since August 2024, averaging 300,000 to 400,000 per month this year.

Increasing fare checks is one part of RTD-PD's four-step security plan to support customers and employees. The plan also entails maintaining a high visibility of officer presence, educating customers about the Respect the Ride Code of Conduct, and using technology for real-time surveillance of stops, stations, and, in the event of an emergency, vehicles.