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4 charts show how crime and policing on SEPTA has changed since the pandemic

SEPTA Transit Police data obtained by The Inquirer show crime and enforcement trends since 2019, when SEPTA began issuing civil notices that carry a $25 fine in place of $300 criminal court citations.

SEPTA Transit police vehicle parked in front of the SEPTA headquarters at 1234 Market St. in Philadelphia in 2022.
SEPTA Transit police vehicle parked in front of the SEPTA headquarters at 1234 Market St. in Philadelphia in 2022.Read moreALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Staff Photographer

Recent high-profile shootings in and around SEPTA stations in Philadelphia reflect an alarming increase in violence following 2022, when crime on the transit system was trending down.

However, the types of crime passengers are most likely to encounter on SEPTA are smoking, turnstile-jumping, public urination, and other unruly acts. SEPTA is struggling to manage the incidents.

Arrests overall by the department have plummeted by 85% since 2019, while the ranks of the 230-person department have thinned by about 13%. Transit Police made 195 arrests last year.

Meanwhile, quality-of-life infractions on SEPTA rose from 5,405 civil “enforcement notices” to 7,180 between January 2019 through 2022, according to Transit Police data obtained by The Inquirer. Certain infractions, such as smoking or public urination, rose by more than 200%.

» READ MORE: With ridership down and antisocial behavior up, SEPTA is grappling with how to make Philly transit feel safer

Here are four charts that show how crime and policing on SEPTA has changed since before the pandemic.