Metro News Release
For immediate release: February 6, 2008
Metro Transit Police Department addresses rising robbery trend with increased prevention and enforcement efforts
The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) is responding to a rise in robberies in the Metro system by increasing enforcement efforts and raising the awareness of Metrorail and Metrobus riders through crime prevention outreach events.
While crime remains low in the Metro system, Metro saw an increase in robberies last year. In 2007, Metro riders reported 414 robberies, compared with 352 in 2006. Last year, more than 343 million customers rode Metro. Portable music players and cell phones were among the most commonly stolen items. In 2007, 58 portable music players, mainly iPods, and 59 cell phones were reported stolen.
Late last year, MTPD put its special robbery detail in place. The group’s work has already led to 12 arrests. Through the analysis of crime trends throughout the Metro system and the region, the specialized unit has effectively targeted specific locations for crime, which resulted in the high rate of arrests.
“We started the detail to tackle the rising rates of robberies not only in our system but throughout most of the region. We are extremely proud of the work of our robbery detail and will continue our efforts to keep Metro riders safe,” said Metro Transit Police Acting Chief Michael Daly. “We also will continue to reach out to and educate our customers about how to protect themselves from becoming victims of crime.”
MTPD officers are continuing to conduct crime prevention and awareness campaigns at Metrorail stations throughout the region. This afternoon, officers went to the Anacostia Metrorail station to talk with customers, provide safety information, offer to label valuable items such as coats and shoes, and distribute identification decals to place on electronic devices. This type of outreach will continue throughout the year.
Officers specifically target riders who tune in to their portable music players, use cell phones or send e-mail on their hand-held personal digital assistants because often they are not paying attention to what’s going on around them. During the outreach sessions, Transit Police officers will distribute free identification decals for riders to affix to their electronic devices. After placing the decals on their electronic devices, riders need to register them in a national database. This system will make it easier to track or recover a lost or stolen item.
The Transit Police have been successful in returning stolen or lost electronic devices to owners who have registered or placed some kind of identifying mark on them.
The Metro Transit Police emphasize the importance of remaining aware and alert at all times, and protecting personal belongings such as phones, music players, purses and wallets while traveling on Metro, and offer the following personal safety tips:
Always be alert of your surroundings and the people around you.
If using an electronic device, such as a cell phone, MP3 or other portable music player, use the device at a low to moderate decibel level so you can hear what’s going on around you.
If using an MP3 or portable music player, use black headphones instead of white headphones to make them less noticeable.
When using MP3 or portable music player, keep it concealed inside a backpack, purse or jacket pocket.
If carrying a purse, hold it close to your body.
If carrying a wallet, keep it in your front pocket.
If you notice unusual behavior, unattended packages or anything that seems suspicious, call the Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121 or tell a Metro employee.
The Metro Transit Police offer a wealth of crime prevention information and tips to help Metro riders protect themselves through various outreach events and on the department’s Web site. Visit www.wmata.com/about/mtpd/default.cfm to download tips on late night and safe travel, and preventing auto theft.
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News release issued at 4:07 pm, February 6, 2008.