SEPTA Crime Rates Continue Downward Trend, Report Finds
In addition, Transit Police reported strides in stepped-up enforcement of fare evasion and quality-of-ride offenses.
Transit Police continue to prioritize fare evasion, with enforcement up 48% compared to the previous year, while quality-of-life enforcement increased 12%.
Credit: SEPTA
As Philadelphia’s SEPTA continues to enhance safety and security across the system, SEPTA Transit Police reported a 6% reduction in serious crimes in 2025 compared to 2024, including a 33% reduction in gun violence.
In addition, Transit Police reported strides in stepped-up enforcement of fare evasion and quality-of-ride offenses.
New Data
According to the new quarterly data, there were reductions in seven of the eight serious crime categories, including aggravated assaults and thefts. Serious crime dropped across SEPTA’s four largest modes, including the Market-Frankford Line [L], Broad Street Line [B], Bus, and Regional Rail.
SEPTA officials report that serious crime reached its lowest level since at least 2015, and 2025 marks the second straight year in which totals fell below pre-pandemic levels.
“While 2025 was one of the most challenging years in SEPTA’s history, we stayed focused on delivering improvements to the system, especially when it comes to safety,” said SEPTA GM Scott A. Sauer. “Since its peak during the pandemic, crime has continued to decline year after year, thanks to the expansion of the Transit Police force, technology and infrastructure improvements, and other safety and security initiatives.”
Continuing to Make an Impact
Transit Police continue to prioritize fare evasion, with enforcement up 48% compared to the previous year, while quality-of-life enforcement increased 12%.
To stop fare evasion before it starts, SEPTA is on track to install more than 200 full-height fare gates at 14 stations by this summer.
SEPTA also has a Surface Transportation Unit dedicated to enforcing fare compliance on buses and trolleys, where fare gates do not control entry.
“With 250 uniformed officers, our Transit Police staffing is at its highest level in over a decade, and another 17 cadets started police academy earlier this month,” said SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson. “Our customers see officers as soon as they enter the system, and that increased police presence helps deter people from committing crimes.”
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