NCJ Number
193930
Date Published
1997
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This synthesis of the Transportation Research Board discusses the nature and extent of transit crime, effective strategies to combat problem situations, and case studies of specific control practices deemed successful by transit agency professionals.
Abstract
American transit agencies have been working aggressively to increase safety and security for both the bus and rail modes of service. A number of strategies across a variety of environments have been employed in the prevention and control of crime and disorder. The selection of strategies is based on the recognition of two relationships: disorder to crime and less serious crime to serious crime. This synthesis of the Transportation Research Board utilized a survey showing that transit agencies used uniformed police officers as their main strategy and is considered most effective in preventing crime. In addition, auxiliary community policing and problem-solving techniques are gaining widespread acceptance, as well as the use of television and video cameras on buses, trains, and at bus stops. Strategy effectiveness is based mainly on observation and experience and sometimes on program evaluation. Recent data compiled on transit crime and available from the Uniform Crime Report indicated that serious and violent crime was more characteristic of larger transit systems. Recommendations are made for improvement in the areas of security control data systems, core strategy reevaluation, strategy innovations, development of a national clearinghouse for strategies information, intensified training and training standards, and system security program plans. References, bibliography, glossary, and survey appendices