WMATA creates anti-crime police squad

Transit police at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) created a new squad of officers focused on the enforcement of the agency's public conduct ordinances. The Rail Anti-Crime Target Squad is increasing enforcement of littering, smoking, eating and drinking violations outside of rail stations. Fare evadors, pickpockets and disorderly juveniles will also be targeted. The officers are issuing citations for most of those violations, which result in fines ranging from $10 for littering to $50 for fare evasion. The new squad began enforcement in mid-December.