Transit Crime Down in NYC, Minneapolis

Reported crime on Minneapolis Metro Transit fell by 17.5 percent in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year while ridership rose by 9 percent, reports Christopher Carey in Cities Today. “Metro Transit’s Safety & Security Action Plan – which was endorsed by the Met Council in June 2022 –includes more than 40 ‘action items’” including a new Transit Rider Investment Program (TRIP) that deploys agents at rail stations, “resiliency, de-escalation and crisis intervention training” for transit operators, and hiring more staff. 

The agency also contracted with local non-profit organizations to offer supportive resources to riders. “During the past year, Metro Transit says the agencies have connected with around 6,700 individuals and made around 3,800 referrals.”

In New York City, crime on the subway network decreased by 15 percent in June 2024 compared to the same period last year. “The reduction in crime has been attributed to an additional 1,000 police officers patrolling the subway system since February, and the introduction of “Operation Fare Play” in March which cracked down on passengers not paying their fare when entering the network.”