The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department (MPD) ensured MARTA remained a safe, secure system for another year, accomplishing a significant reduction in violent crimes in 2022, and maintaining a standard of excellence through achievement of state law enforcement certification.
In 2022, MPD reported a 17 percent reduction in Part 1 crimes (violent and property crimes), and a 42 percent reduction in operator assaults. Enforcement of MARTA’s Ride With Respect Program resulted in over 5,000 temporary or yearlong system suspensions for violators and over 70 permanent bans.
“The most important responsibility we have as a transit agency and our number one priority is keeping our customers and employees safe,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood, “To see such a dramatic reduction in violence against our operators and a decline in overall crime on the system, along with the recent state certification is further proof that the MARTA Police Department is one of the top law enforcement agencies in the state.”
With a focus on reversing attrition and holding regular career fairs, along with the implementation of an internship program through Georgia State University, MPD saw a reduction in its employee vacancy rate. Increased officer visibility on trains through a concentrated overtime patrol program cleared railcars of thousands of loiterers and sleepers and connected homeless individuals with resources through the MARTA Hope Program.
“We were able to add to our dedicated team of sworn officers and Field Protective Specialists in the past year and that has allowed us to put more people in more places,” said MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher. “From our uniformed, K-9, and more visible officers, to those in plain clothes or working undercover, rest assured, there is a MARTA police presence systemwide. I am proud of the women and men of the MARTA Police Department who continue to show their professionalism…
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