RTA: Robberies, Misconduct Numbers Down, But Assaults On Drivers Continue

There were six robberies on RTA vehicles in the first half of 2018. In the same period two years ago, that number was 30.

Serious crimes, including robbery, felonious assault, and theft, are down 59 percent from 2016, according to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority.

Transit Police Chief John Joyce presented the data at an RTA board meeting this week. He says moving more of the agency’s 140 police officers out of their cars and onto buses and trains has helped reduce the number of crimes.

“We’re really providing greater presence on the system. We’re having our officers out there with visibility because visibility is one of the most important parts of the program,” said Joyce. “Crimes are generally not committed when you have a police officer present, and it makes people feel much safer.”

Joyce also credits investments in security cameras for the decline in crimes.

Less serious incidents labeled “quality of life crimes” including open containers, trespassing, and misconduct are down too.

“The biggest misconduct on the system are people who would try to evade the fare,” said Joyce. “Misconduct would also include other things, like playing loud music, or eating or drinking on the system.”

Misconduct numbers dropped from 1719 incidents in 2016 to 170 this year. Joyce says a policy change last year may have led to a reduction in fare evasions, especially on the HealthLine along Euclid Avenue.

“Instead of having officers randomly check, we have operators verifying that people have their proof of payment,” said Joyce. “Rather than having random selection, the operators are checking everybody, 100 percent.”

But one number is up. The number of situations with aggravated disorderly conduct intoxication – basically drunk people behaving badly. Last year, there was one incident. The jump to 22 incidents this year, says Joyce, is due to more enforcement.

And there continue to be several assaults against rail and bus operators each year. Attacks on RTA drivers went from eight in the first half of 2016 to 10 so far this year.