SEPTA to increase police presence ahead of school year, service cuts

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- SEPTA Transit Police say the school year will begin with an increased police presence along about a dozen routes across Philadelphia.

Officers will be stationed on buses, patrolling in vehicles, and utilizing live virtual patrols.

The transit agency is finalizing its security plans but remains flexible amid uncertainties surrounding service cuts and the start of the new school year.

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"What we don't know this year is how potentially fewer buses operating with longer headways is going to expand those crowds in neighborhoods," SEPTA Transit Police Chief Chuck Lawson said during a news conference Friday.

Lawson said the department will continue using proven strategies, including increased staffing during student travel periods, overlapping coverage during critical dismissal times, and live virtual patrols.

"We know where our hotspots are. We know the patterns that students take during their travel, and we know the typical areas where they congregate in larger quantities," Lawson said.

New initiatives are also being introduced.

"The new thing that we're going to do this year is we have established a daily morning check-in call with school police," Lawson said. "We're going to discuss the previous day's school activity and determine whether there's a need to flex any resources, change any part of our plan. We think that's going to put us in a position to pivot very quickly if we need to."

As SEPTA prepares for these changes, Transport Workers Union Local 234-the agency's largest union-has raised concerns about frontline worker safety.

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In a letter obtained by Action News, the union's president requested a meeting with Philadelphia leaders and Transit Police.

"We don't have any issue doing that. Safety of the citizens in this city is our number one priority, so anything we can do to assist in that process, that's what we're here for," said Philadelphia Police 1st Deputy Commissioner John Stanford.

Philadelphia police said they've met with the union before and are open to further discussions. On Friday night, Lawson also expressed support for the idea.

"SEPTA Transit Police have been in communication with union leaders regarding the safety and security of our frontline workers," Lawson said in a statement. "Transit Police will have a highly visible presence throughout the system and will adapt to any problem areas that arise. We are committed to keeping the lines of communication open with employees and union leadership."

The agencies have long worked together. Stanford noted that last year, Philadelphia police reinstated "SEPTA checks," where officers check in on SEPTA operators, buses, and stations.

"So far this year, there have been over 20,000 of those checks done," Stanford said. "That gives you an idea of the work our officers are doing in conjunction with SEPTA police."

As the transit system and city face new challenges, all sides are working toward safe and efficient operations.

"The reality is that we all have to be patient, treat each other with respect, and we'll get through this process," Stanford said.

It's unclear when a potential meeting will take place. SEPTA's first round of service cuts takes effect Sunday, and public school students return to classrooms Monday.