Serious crimes on SEPTA continue to drop, while petty crimes are on the rise

(WPHL) — As the first half of the year has been completed, serious crimes on SEPTA have continued to drop, while petty crimes are on the rise, officials say.

According to the first-half 2025 crime report from the SEPTA Transit Police Department, serious crimes have continued to drop in most categories while enforcement of fare evasion, smoking, and other quality-of-ride offenses has increased significantly.

After a record-setting annual crime reduction of 33% in 2024, SEPTA Transit Police have continued to implement new data-driven deployment strategies.

“We are continuing to see great results from the SEPTA Transit Police Department, thanks to efforts to bolster staffing and the implementation of innovative enforcement strategies,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer. “Despite an imminent fiscal crisis that could result in massive service cuts, we will continue to support the critical work that our police force does to ensure SEPTA is safe and secure for customers and employees.”

Efforts to tackle fare evasion and quality-of-ride offenses have also shown significant progress, Transit Police say.

Overall enforcement of these incidents increased by 27% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
For the first half of 2025, SEPTA Transit Police issued 4,366 citations for fare evasion, a 74% increase over the same six months in 2024. In addition, 1,189 tickets were issued for smoking – a 6% increase – and 253 for marijuana use, up 19%.

Reports by customers on the SEPTA Transit Watch App over fare evasion declined 46.7 percent, and reports of smoking declined 13.6%.

“When we increase our enforcement of fare evasion, we consistently see lower rates of crime and
disorder on the system,” SEPTA Transit Police Chief Chuck Lawson said. “We are committed to a three-pronged approach to combating fare evasion through deterrence, enforcement, and education.”

In an effort to keep decreasing crime rates, police will continue to enhance visible patrols and use new technology, including full-length fare gates that will soon begin expanding to nine additional stations.

The first full-length gates were installed at the 69th Street Transportation Center and have reduced fare evasion by approximately 20%, officials say.

You can view the full crime report HERE.