A security report for the first six months of 2017 for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority showed mixed results for the transit agency.
The report showed a 17 percent reduction of what are called Part I crimes when compared to the first six months of 2016. Such crimes involve aggravated assault, arson, burglary, homicide, larceny, motor vehicles thefts, rape, and robbery.
Violent crimes, which are classified as robbery, aggravated assault, rape, and homicide, decreased by 25 percent. However, bus operator assaults rose about 20 percent, and sexual harassment complaints from 65 percent.
People cited for fare evasion more than doubled, increasing by 114 percent, and about 42 percent of those cited with also charged with additional offenses and resulted in 780 people being arrested.
The report was presented to the WMATA board by the Metro Transit Police Department. Metro has said crime reduction is a major performance measure toward a safe and secure transit system.
