WASHINGTON — Metro’s new safety campaign is ramping up the visibility of Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) officers across its stations and implementing more officer patrols on trains and buses in a bid to enhance safety throughout the system.
In an announcement made on Feb. 21, Metro said customers will see special police officers walking in trains and buses to provide more security and crack down on illegal activity in real time. Intercom announcements onboard trains will notify passengers of the presence of officers actively patrolling.
Metro is also deploying 30,000 cameras on buses, trains, and stations that will supplement the use of patrol officers to enhance safety. This advanced surveillance provides clear images that are often used by MTPD and other law enforcement agencies to identify suspects and make arrests.
"As ridership increases, we want customers to see our officers and feel confident that we're doing our part to keep them safe," said MTPD 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."
In 2023, Metro increased patrols by 70% collaborating with local law enforcement and special police officers. Overall enforcement has gone up 300%, and the use of fare gates across the system has reduced fare evasion incidents at the stations where they are located. These combined efforts have decreased crime by 14%, while Metrorail ridership has surged by 24% year-to-date, and buses have seen a 15% increase in ridership.
Metro’s safety campaign efforts are not only limited to increased patrols and surveillance; it also emphasizes empathy and collaboration with the communities it serves. The system has eight crisis intervention specialists on staff and a plethora of community/youth outreach events held annually to serve the community in a meaningful manner.
Overall, crime on Metro is on the decline.
Metro General Manager Randy Clarke walked WUSA9 through the numbers. He said crime overall is down 14% year over year. He said this is seen across all categories: assaults, thefts, robberies, etc.
He credits increased police patrols, hiring of special officers and crisis intervention specialists as a few elements that helped with the decline. He pointed out that they have received help from D.C.’s mayor and police.
“We have to work on perception, and the better we are with reality, the perception follows," Clarke said.
As Metro continues efforts to increase safety throughout the system, they have also incorporated other measures like increasing lighting to make stations brighter, courtesy stops during late-night hours on Metro buses to allow customers to get off closer to their destination, and better station signage. Customers may continue learning about these efforts on WMATA’s social media or by visiting wmata.com/safety.