PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A year after SEPTA recorded a massive 34% drop in crime on its system, newly released stats for the first months of 2025 showed no major increase in incidents compared to 2024.
Murder, rapes and aggravated assaults on SEPTA saw even further small drops in the first quarter of the year compared to last year. SEPTA Police Chief Chuck Lawson said as for shootings, there have only been two through the first few months of the year compared to five in the same time frame last year.
“Overall I would say the incredible results we saw from last year are kind of holding,” said Lawson.
On the flip side, there has been an increase in robberies, 55 compared to 34 last year, that Lawson said officials are keeping an eye on. He also said fare evasion is something many riders have also still reported, but mentioned enforcement has substantially increased.
“Our efforts have tripled in that area,” said Lawson. “Enforcement of fare evasion through the first quarter is up 171%.”
He also said the full-length fare gates currently at 69th Street Station are coming to City Hall this summer and should further help the enforcement effort.
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Harrisburg debating transit funding have demanded a cleaner, more secure SEPTA, and Lawson said these stats are evidence of progress.
“The message we’re sending back to those legislators is you can count on us to deliver a safer system,” he said.