Rail News – SEPTA reports decline in crime across network in Q3. For Railroad Career Professionals

Serious crime reported on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority‘s (SEPTA) commuter-rail network has reached its lowest level in 16 years, the agency reported last week.

SEPTA Transit Police reported a 10% reduction in serious crimes in third-quarter 2026 compared to the same period last year, including a 35% decrease in aggravated assaults. Serious crimes are defined in the report as murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, other types of theft and arson.

The agency also reported a 13% decrease in property crime and a 36% decrease in crime targeting SEPTA employees.

SEPTA officials credit increased staffing, regular in-person patrols, as well as the agency’s Virtual Patrol Unit initiative, which launched in 2023, for the improvement. Largely staffed by retired law enforcement professionals, Virtual Patrol Specialists monitor live video feeds and dispatch officers where they are needed, agency officials said.