Metro Transit officials sharing some new crime statistics on Monday.
"The Metro Transit Police Department has a lot to be happy about especially in the year 2023," says Police Chief Ernest Morales. "We're very proud of our accomplishments. Why is that? From quarter one to quarter four, overall crime was down 25%. This includes serious crimes, code of conduct violations, drugs, tobacco, alcohol violations."
However, the overall numbers show an increase in crime over 2022.
"2023 over 2022, we are up slightly, 25%" says Morales. "But, I want to remind everybody that we are recovering and coming out of COVID so ridership is also up as well."
Morales says they're working hard to increases staffing, with more interviews planned this week, a new recruitment campaign, and in some cases, an $8,000 hiring bonus.
While the understaffing is still a problem, they're making progress in bringing down crime and bad behavior on trains and buses.
The shooting in St. Paul happened Saturday night not far from the State Capitol Building, leaving a man wounded. Saint Paul police are handling the investigation. The man who was shot is expected to recover.
"Preliminary information after speaking with the victim is that an apparent robbery was occurring on the train when the shooting occurred," said St. Paul Police spokesperson Mike Ernster.