PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The head of SEPTA's largest union says the Pennsylvania National Guard should be patrolling the system to improve safety. SEPTA isn't so sure that’s necessary.
The head of Transport Workers Union Local 234, Brian Pollitt, said in an Inquirer op-ed Wednesday that a temporary deployment of the Guard on SEPTA could deter crime and buy time for ridership to recover. It's now reached 70% of pre-pandemic levels.
For the last month, hundreds of National Guard members have been helping New York City police check bags at MTA subway stations. SEPTA general manager Leslie Richards told KYW Newsradio she would wait to see how effective that effort is before asking Gov. Josh Shapiro to activate the Guard in Philadelphia.
Richards said she spoke with the head of the MTA last week to see if it’s making a difference in New York City.
"We'll continue to work alongside our union and our employees to get that data. And if we see big results, then we will share that information," Richards said.
"We're gathering as much information as we can. I know our governor is extremely data driven, and we are too. So without data showing how this could impact, it would be hard for him to give it serious consideration."
Even though there was a rash of violent crime last month that saw 15 people shot with two killed on or near SEPTA, Richards says overall crime is down 45% from last year. She acknowledges there's a difference between being safe, and feeling safe. And she points out the transit agency is hiring more transit police and testing enclosures for bus drivers.