Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 15, 2006

Crime in Metro system falls in 2005

Metro Transit Police report nearly an 8 percent decrease in Part I crime on Metro property from 2004 to 2005. This includes reports taken by both Metro Transit Police and other police agencies.

In 2005, the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) recorded 1,144 Part I crimes, compared with 1,241 crimes in 2004. In addition to the crimes reported by Metro Transit Police, local police agencies reported an additional nine Part I crimes on Metro property last year, up from eight in 2004.

Other jurisdictional police departments sometimes respond to and take police reports for incidents that occur on Metro property.

Part I crimes as defined by the FBI include homicide, rape, aggravated assault, arson, larceny, burglary, motor vehicle theft and robbery.

Part II crimes totaled 2,572 in 2005, down from 2,980 in 2004. Part II crimes are less serious offenses including violations for eating, drinking or smoking in the Metro system, disorderly conduct and fare evasion.

Robbery was the only Part I crime category to show a significant increase from 2004 to 2005. Robberies reported to MTPD last year totaled 322, compared with 290 the year before, or an 11 percent rise. Other police agencies reported six additional robberies on Metro property in 2005, up from five in 2004.

Property crimes in parking lots typically have been most commonly reported by MTPD. Though 714 Part I parking lot crimes were reported in 2005, the number represents nearly a 13 percent drop from the previous year. In addition, motor vehicle theft fell 16.5 percent from 2004 to 2005. MTPD created a dedicated Auto Theft Unit in August 2003 to focus on reducing parking lot crime including auto thefts from Metro parking lots. The 2004 change to a cashless parking system also may be a contributing factor to the decline in parking lot crime, as people who use Metro’s parking facilities need to have a SmarTrip card to exit, which may deter some would-be thieves.

Overall, the crime rate in the Metro system remains low. There are 1.68 Part I crimes reported for every million Metrorail riders and less than one crime reported for every million Metrobus riders.

News release issued on February 15, 2006.