PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA officials pushed back on complaints about safety issues at a City Council hearing called after two recent high-profile crimes on the public transit system.
They detailed efforts they’re making to combat incidents in their facilities, but employee unions had sharply different views.
Christina Lu was beaten on the Broad Street line two weeks ago, while riding home from school. Her mother testified at the Council hearing through an interpreter.
Related
"I feel very heartbroken to watch the video clips to see [my] own daughter be beaten on the SEPTA train," said Lu's mother. "We are so sorry that this occurred."
A man is standing trial who allegedly raped a woman on the El in Upper Darby as well.
SEPTA General manager Leslie Richard apologized to Wu's mother, but testified that the agency is taking extraordinary steps, including a program called SCOPE that she says is a national model, to improve safety through outreach, prevention and surveillance.
There were mixed views on whether SEPTA should simply increase its police presence. SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel said society has sent the message that it no longer accepts that strategy.
Related
"The transit police do not fight society’s call for change, they embrace it," he said.
But Transport Workers Union Local 23 Vice President Brian Pollitt said without that option, riders don’t feel safe, and he mocked spending on things like changing station names.
"You can name a station the 'Stairway to Heaven' and people still won’t go if they feel they’re in danger," said Pollitt.
Richards urged continuing dialogue on the issue and asked riders to download the transit watch app, for reporting suspicious activity.
