The number of crimes that have taken place in or around Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) trains, buses or property has increased, according to Metro’s five-year crime report.
Although there have been less aggravated assaults and no rapes or homicides, Metro is reporting that serious crimes have increased by more than 15 percent in 2008. Robbery and larceny have substantially increased.
“Most robberies take place in our parking lots,” said Cathy Asato, a Metro system spokesperson. “But that’s not to say that there aren’t robberies on the trains and buses.”
From 2004 to 2008, overall crimes have jumped from 1,361 to 1,821. Robberies have increased by one-third from 2007 to 2008, and larceny has seen the highest increase.
Despite these statistics, Asato said that certain acts of crime have decreased since last year.
“There are a variety of reasons for that,” she said. “But we have seen a 40 percent increase in arrests so that may be a reason.”
Still, riders, especially college students, are concerned about their safety.
“I have to ride the bus and train everyday to get to and from my internship,” said Nadia Rodriguez, a recent graduate from the University of Maryland in College Park, Md. “It’s scary because I’m always wearing my iPod, and I know I should pay attention to my surroundings.”
Most of the reported thefts are stolen small electronics such as iPods, BlackBerries and other cell phones. While a number of these thefts happen on the bus or train, Metro has seen a significant increase in robberies of vehicles around metro facilities.
According to the Five Year Crime Report, Metro saw an increase from 858 to 1,198 offenses around metro facilities between 2007 and 2008.
“Conceal your expensive electronics and be aware when you are walking,” Asato said.
Riders like Tonisha Roberts, a senior at Howard University, are more concerned about parking cars in the parking lots Metro provides.
“I’ve already had my car broken into in D.C. You would think that it would be safe in a parking lot, but it’s not, and I don’t want to risk that,” said Roberts.
Roberts has a car but said she chooses to ride the metro because the nearest stop is walking distance from school.
“But it’s like you’re not safe. Not on the metro and not outside. Definitely not safe,” she said.
But like most college students, Roberts and Rodriguez said they will continue to ride the metro because of its convenience.
“There is no other alternative when you don’t have a car,” Rodriguez said. “So I’ll endure the fights on the metro and all the crazy stuff that happens. And yes, I really do see fights.”
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