Latest news with #TransitWatch
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
RTD's new police chief responds after Union Station shooting: ‘There's still work to do'
DENVER (KDVR) — A shooting near Denver's Union Station is once again putting public transit safety in the spotlight. One person was hospitalized, and Regional Transportation District police said their officers were the first to respond. Witnesses say it was chaos inside RTD's Chestnut Pavilion following shooting 'Our officers were the first ones on scene,' said acting Chief Steve Martingano, who is officially taking over leadership of RTD's police department next month. He's been involved in the agency's safety overhaul over the past three years. The shooting comes at a time when RTD has been touting major progress: cutting security-related calls at Union Station by 60% and expanding its police force from under 20 officers to nearly 100. Despite the incident, many frequent riders say they've noticed a positive shift. 'A year or 2 years ago, it was awful, it was just awful,' said one woman riding the train Tuesday. 'I just think they are keeping an eye, and it's a lot more pleasant to ride on the train than it used to be,' she added. 'Around here, I do feel safer now because I see more officers… whereas before there wasn't any… it was sketch,' another rider told FOX31. RTD reports 60% drop in security calls at Union Station after safety initiative Martingano credits the visibility and communication from riders with helping guide their strategy. 'The thing we try and do again is utilize either through our Transit Watch app, people reaching out through customer care, employees—meeting with them, trying to understand where the problems are, what they are facing and what are those quality of life issues,' Martingano said. Still, he acknowledges incidents like the shooting show there's more work to do. 'Obviously this is an incident that we would hope would never happen,' he said. 'We continue to show decreases, crime continues to drop, and we are going to continue to work to make sure things like that don't happen.' Martingano also pointed to technology, including more than 3,000 surveillance cameras and live 'look-ins,' as tools RTD officers use to respond faster. Looking ahead, he said the focus is on staying proactive and rebuilding ridership. 'The growth that I would like to see is just again the proactiveness of where our issues are, and having our officers out there,' he said. 'At the end of the day, we want our ridership to be up, we want Denver to be back the way it was pre-COVID.' RTD selects new police chief RTD said riders can expect to see a continued larger officer presence as they grow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
07-04-2025
- CBS News
RTD warns to never cross train tracks, new signage in place to decrease incidents
The Regional Transportation District is reminding people to never step on train tracks. In 2024, the agency recorded 399 trespassers on their commuter rail. This is a decrease from the 423 trespassers reported in 2023. The numbers are decreasing, but the agency would like to see them go down to zero. The most notable decrease was along the 23-mile A Line, which experienced a reduction of approximately 12% in trespasser incidents occurring between Denver Union Station and the Denver Airport Station. RTD says the improvements come from maintenance on the tracks and new signage reminding everyone not to cross them. Along with trespassing, RTD says the biggest issue they see is people not paying attention around the tracks. The tracks are electrified and the trains are quiet. If one of these trains is coming at its maximum speed of 70 mph, you can be killed. RTD says this is why they keep reminding everyone never to cross the tracks. In many situations, you may drop your phone or wallet on the tracks. You need to either flag down an operator or call their on-site emergency phone. Taking shortcuts by ignoring the signs in the area or jumping the fence is also a huge issue, RTD says. Not only are you trespassing, but you risk getting killed by a train if it hits you. "If the lights are flashing and the bells are going, you should never enter or try to cross the track," RTD spokesman Stuart Summers said. "The train always has the right of way. It is an alignment that is made specifically for trains so unlike streets, if you were trying to cross and it is not safe for you to do so, you are now a trespasser." To reduce the number of potential trespassers, RTD partnered with Operation Lifesaver to conduct outreach in communities living near commuter rail corridors. The agency hosted pop-up events at rail stations and employment centers to directly engage with customers and people living and working near railroad tracks. The agency also released a rail safety video, among other resource materials, to support community engagement efforts and the agency's online safety campaign. The video can be watched in English and Spanish. For safety reasons, RTD has also added more presence with transit officers. They're available 24/7. Along with the RTD's updates, they have reported 177 physical assaults and 194 non-physical assaults of its transit workers. In 2024, physical assaults remained relatively flat at 182, but the number of non-physical assaults increased to 314. The approximately 62% year-over-year increase in non-physical assaults largely reflects the new federal reporting standards and RTD's expanded internal efforts to encourage employees to make reports. To report any type of crime on RTD property, you can download the Transit Watch app .
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
RTD sees 52% drop in security calls after safety upgrades
DENVER (KDVR) — The Regional Transportation District said security-related calls for service were cut in half in February after a year-long focus on safety improvements. RTD has experienced ongoing safety issues involving anything from stolen copper wires to complaints of drug use. In response to safety concerns, RTD said in the past year, it issued more officers to high-visibility transit locations, upgraded facilities and enhanced personal safety and security. Now, RTD said the increased efforts are working. The RTD said there was a 52% drop in security-related calls in February compared to last year. In February 2024, RTD said it recorded 4,460 calls, which was cut in half to 2,134 calls in February 2025. RTD launches internal detective bureau to investigate criminal activities There was also a new low in safety reports in February. The RTD said safety reports via the Transit Watch app dropped to a low of 202 total reports last month. This comes after it received 4,604 incident reports in 2024, accounting for approximately a dozen reports a day. The reports have been on a decline since July 2024. RTD also noticed a positive change in January. RTD said it received 2,774 security-related calls for service to the agency's dispatch center, which included anything from graffiti to crime to an unattended bag. During January, RTD said it had approximately five million customer boardings, accounting for approximately one security-related report for every 1,800 boardings. In comparison, in 2024, RTD said it recorded approximately 43,000 security-related calls for service, averaging 118 calls each day. The RTD said this came after several safety improvements, including an increase in patrolling officers and adding 24-hour, 7-days-a-week policing. There are now 100 sworn-in officers and the RTD said it's budgeted to have 150 officers by the end of 2025. Survey results: Are RTD passengers satisfied with bus, rail service? There were also improvements to cameras in the vehicles, lighting, bus operator barriers and elevator enhancement programs. RTD said it also sends a team of mental health clinicians and outreach coordinators to help people experiencing homelessness. The improved safety also comes from the Transit Watch app that allows people to report suspicious behavior. The app started in 2014 with 1,367 users, now RTD said the security app now has approximately 45,000 users. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
LA Metro Implements New Program, Cracking Down on Crime
LA Metro will implement a new Tap to Exit program at Union Station beginning Tuesday, Feb. an effort to curb crime and stop fare evading, riders using the Metro B and D subway lines will need to tap their cards at a turnstile when heading up to the main concourse. Those who pay ahead of time will be able to exit, but riders who did not face the potential of a warning, citation or removal from the crackdown follows various complaints about drug use, violence and other reported crime on the Metro system. As L.A. is set to host several notable events such as the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the NFL Super Bowl in 2027 and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, this program is a part of a larger effort to cut down on crime. The Tap to Exit program has already been implemented at the North Hollywood station on the B line and at the Downtown Santa Monica station along the E line. Metro officials reported a 40% decrease in complaints via the TransitWatch app after the program was implemented at the North Hollywood station. The Metro Board approved a plan to enforce the program at all end-of-line stations last summer. Additionally, they plan to increase security efforts and establish their own police force. Stay in the Know! Get the top news from Los Angeles Magazine sent to your inbox every day. Sign up for The Daily Brief below or by clicking here.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘Tap to Exit' requirement arrives at Los Angeles Union Station
Many riders will need to tap their transit cards in order to disembark at Los Angeles Union Station in the latest effort by LA Metro to curb crime and crack down on fare evaders. The Tap to Exit program at Union Station will go into effect on Tuesday, and will affect the Metro B and D subway lines. Riders will need to tap their cards at a turnstile when they exit the subway and head upstairs to the main concourse. Those who paid ahead of time will be able to exit seamlessly, but those who didn't could be stopped at the gates and face the possibility of receiving a warning or citation — or even removal from the system entirely. If you didn't pay initially but have a valid TAP card when you exit, the fare will be deducted when you leave. Metro officials, however, say this is still a violation of Metro's Code of Conduct. Riders of Metrolink can already scan their ticket to enable free transfers on LA Metro, but will also need to scan again when exiting at any stations that require it. The Tap to Exit program has already been successfully deployed at the North Hollywood station along the B Line, and the Downtown Santa Monica station along the E Line. Last summer, the Metro Board approved a plan to eventually enforce Tap to Exit at all 10 end-of-line stations, as well as install beefier security gates at some stations. The war on fare evasion comes following complaints about drug use, violence and other crime on the Metro system, the bulk of which was found to be perpetrated by riders who did not pay a fare to board. After the Tap to Exit program was instituted at North Hollywood, Metro officials reported a 40% decrease in complaints via its Transit Watch app. These latest security efforts are part of a larger strategy to cut down on the rare but high-profile violent crimes across the Metro system as L.A. prepares to host several of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the NFL Super Bowl in 2027 and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. In addition to implementing the Tap to Exit program at stations, Metro is also moving forward with plans to establish its own police force. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
