The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department (MPD) held a press conference to discuss safety and security on the transit system and provide behind the scenes tours of its Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the Chamblee MARTA station.
During the press conference, MARTA Police Department Chief of Police Scott Kreher aimed to dispel misconceptions about MARTA’s safety, emphasizing its status as one of the safest transit systems in the U.S.
“Hundreds of MARTA police officers patrol rail stations, trains, buses, and parking lots 24-hours a day, cracking down on nuisance behavior, acting swiftly during emergencies, and responding immediately when someone breaks the law on or near the transit system,” Kreher said. “The MARTA Police Department stands ready to protect our customers, the system, and the communities we serve every day.”
Year-to-date crime has decreased significantly: aggravated assaults by 24%, robberies by 18%, and overall crime by 8%, according to Kreher. MARTA employs over 300 officers and utilizes various security measures, including partnerships with the FBI, US Marshals, and TSA, according to Kreher.
He also said the system has suspended over 3,500 people for minor rule violations and issued 224 permanent bans.
“We wanted to dispel any comments made out in the public recently about MARTA not being safe or having a public safety plan, specifically around large events, and that is definitely farthest from the truth,” he said. “We work every day to prepare for events and remain solely committed to the safety of the system.”
Also, with three decades of law enforcement background, Kreher said he’s seen safety used as a political talking point to perpetuate unsafety over the fact MARTA is safe. He says MARTA is one of the safest transit systems in the country and doesn’t work in a vacuum.
“We service four counties within the many cities and communities, and crime and public safety in those areas has a direct impact on the water system, saying that year to date, we’ve seen dramatic decreases in crime, especially violent crime,” he said.
He also says if people truly don’t feel safe, MARTA police “have more work to do” and “the reality of crime and perception of crime is always a battle”.
“We’re working very hard to ensure people’s safety, especially during larger events and crowds,” he said.
Additionally, he says they rely heavily on their technology and system of wide network cameras and portable solar cameras. These methods allow the MARTA police department to have an eye on the system monitored by real time crime center officers.
The focus also remains on enhancing public perception and safety, especially for major events like the World Cup.
“We partner with TSA, our neighboring jurisdiction and we do what’s called Tabletop exercises where we go through various scenarios,” he said. “We will continue to have that partnership into the upcoming Labor Day weekend, the World Cup, and more.”
Furthermore, Kreher says he wants the public to understand and know the perception of crime sometimes misconstrued with people who are unhoused, have mental health challenges, or substance abuse.
“While we don’t condone bad behavior, we want the public to understand being unhoused isn’t a crime, however it is an inconvenience to the riders,” he said. “We’re constantly working with our team of licensed clinicians to help these individuals to get resources.”
Upcoming improvements in September include new fare gates and payment systems to combat fare evasion.