Safety on the Move: MBTA Sees Crime Drop and Plans for a Better Future

The MBTA, or the T, has seen a 14% drop in crime compared to last year, marking a significant improvement in safety for public transport users.

Crime Statistics and Police Efforts

Police Chief Kenneth Green shared this positive update at a recent meeting, highlighting the hard work of the police force.
Most crimes occur in Boston, but the police cover all cities and towns served by the MBTA.
The data focused on serious crimes, including homicides, robberies, and assaults.
No homicides reported in the last two years.
Robberies and thefts have decreased by 26% and 20% respectively.
There was a small increase in rapes and assaults to rape, but in real numbers, it's only one more case than last year.
Aggravated assaults saw a slight increase, but the chief noted these incidents range from minor to serious.

The MBTA is working to restore ridership levels to pre-pandemic numbers.

October saw the highest number of weekday rides since COVID-19, indicating growing trust in the service.
A new police control center is being set up in Quincy to improve response times.
Plans to hire more officers next year, with changes in hiring rules to attract a more diverse group of applicants.

The MBTA is also focused on making the system more accessible and reliable.

General Manager Phillip Eng wrote to the U.S. Department of Transportation, highlighting these improvements.
Emphasizing the importance of safety and accessibility to make transit the preferred choice for everyone.