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Serious Crime Declines on METRO System
Monday, November 17, 2008 4:20 PM  

 

Motorcycle cop in front of MPD carFor the second consecutive year, it has become safer for you to ride the rail or commute on our buses.

The number of serious crimes has declined this year over last, repeating a pattern now for the second year.

METRO recorded 438 serious crime incidents in FY 2008, compared to 492 in FY 2007, which was also down from 565 in FY 2006. That's an 11 percent reduction in FY 08 from the year before in such crimes as homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny/theft, auto theft and arson.

METRO saw the biggest decrease at bus shelters, on buses and at Park & Ride lots.

At bus shelters, 24 crimes were reported, a 47 percent decline from the year before. On board buses, 39 serious crimes were reported, a 33 percent decrease from the year before. At Park & Ride lots, 85 serious crimes were reported, a 20 percent decrease from the year before.

METRO Police Chief Tom Lambert attributes the decline to a strategy that combines both high-tech and low-tech initiatives.

"We have taken a very proactive and systematic approach as to how we address crime," said Lambert in a statement. "Our approach focuses on crime trends and in how we direct METRO police officers to target these trends."

An example of high-tech, state-of-the art equipment is the camera systems at our Park & Ride facilities linked to Houston TranStar.

On the buses, we've used a low-tech, but very effective tool:  bus marshals. Plainclothes MPD officers ride potentially high-crime bus routes, as well as METRORail. Last year, bus marshals issued 584 citations and made 157 arrests for misdemeanors.  

"It's just astounding. They have no idea," said Lambert. "When individuals are observed by our plain clothes officers disregarding established laws, they are often surprised to learn that the person they are sitting next to is a police officer ready to take appropriate enforcement action."

And finally, Lambert says a program that depends on you - the community - has also contributed to this drop in crime.

METRO's Adopt-a-Stop/Adopt-a-Shelter program encourages the public - either individuals or organizations - to "adopt" a METRO bus stop or shelter, cleaning up trash and keeping a watchful eye, reporting any suspicious activity. So far, 261 shelters/stops have been adopted.

Wherever you are on our system, if you see something, say something. Call #MPD on your cell phone to contact METRO police directly (a free call on most cell phones). Or call the METRO police dispatch line at: 713-244-COPS (2677).

 

Posted by Mary Sit
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    • Comments

    DominicMazoch said:

    Now how about those non-income tax paying smelling worse than a septic tank panhandles we have in the no-pan zones of the city.

    I think their should a fine for those GIVING in such zones.  That is "aiding and abetting".

    # November 17, 2008 11:03 PM

    Cedric Collins said:

    What law enforcement needs to do is to keep people away from the train stations and bus stops if they're NOT going to ride.  There should be a trespassing law for such act because you never know what they're doing there and what are their intentions for being there.

    # November 18, 2008 8:12 AM

    J. Liggins said:

    Well Cedric, you genius you, how will they determine who's there to ride and who's "trespassing?"  I'd also wager that most bus stops aren't considered private property anyway.

    # November 18, 2008 9:35 AM

    Cedric Collins said:

    Well since you're SOOO smart (not) and think you know every-doggone-thing, why don't YOU figure it out?  I can bet money YOU'RE the one who puts people there that shouldn't be there in the first place.

    # November 18, 2008 10:26 AM

    sleeepless dad said:

    Goo! MPD!

    # November 18, 2008 12:11 PM

    J. Liggins said:

     Metro should focus on having officers secure the transit centers after a certain time, say 10pm.  I see MPD at the Downtown TC at random times after dark, but it's not guranteed that they'll be there. That's a pretty dangerous spt too being by the Greyhound station and in close proximity to the downtownn jail.

    # November 18, 2008 12:21 PM

    TransitDriver said:

    Yea... there should be an odor sensor at the door. If you smell then your Qcard should be rejected.
    # November 19, 2008 8:29 PM

    Cedric Collins said:

    J. Liggins said, "Well Cedric, you genius you, how will they determine who's there to ride and who's "trespassing?"

    If I was a law enforcement officer, I'd be laughing with tears right about now at the sound of that question.  Here's how things will go down (in simple form):

    1.  Have a cop stationed at a particular rail platform (where too many non-riding persons think they can hang out at) and ask to see their Q Card or that rail ticket.

    2.  If the person (or persons) doesn't produce what the officer(s) ask for, then that person doesn't need to be there and SHOULD be asked to leave.

    Keep in mind that ALL rail stations are FARE PAYING ZONES and if you do NOT have any fare item, then---well---BE GONE!

    It's that simple.  A rookie cop on their first day on the job should know this better.

    # November 25, 2008 1:27 PM

    Cedric Collins said:

    J. Liggins said:  "I'd also wager that most bus stops aren't considered private property anyway."

    Wait, wait, huh?  Sorry but I did not nor did I ever say that bus stops are private property but still, they should be patrolled just like the rail stations---meaning---randomly check to see if the person has a Q Card (or cash).  If nothing is presented to an officer, then that person is NOT one is intending on riding and should vamoose!

    My comment that I made on 11/18 still stands to this day, BTW!

    # November 25, 2008 1:48 PM
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