PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Phoenix-area bus and light rail riders are seeing the results of Valley Metro upping its security, with some crimes up and others down.
According to numbers obtained from Arizona’s Family, Valley Metro saw a 50% decrease in “crimes against persons,” which is often considered violent crime, from fiscal year 2023 to fiscal year 2024. However, property crime, like thefts, saw a 53% increase in that same time frame.
Overall, there were 2,734 incidents of crime in fiscal year 2024, compared to 2,390 in 2023, more than a 14% increase. Most of the incidents were considered “code of conduct” violations, like trespassing, disorderly conduct and open containers.
In a statement to Arizona’s Family, Valley Metro said it has improved its recruitment and retention of security officers with competitive wages, expanded field supervision and better training. The agency also expanded its support services with the launch of the Community Resource Hub in downtown Phoenix last June.
“This integrated, multi-layered approach to safety and service is delivering measurable results,” a spokesperson said.
Valley Metro said in the first few months of 2025, there was a 71% drop in attacks on passengers and a 77% decrease in assaults on security staff compared to the same time in 2024.
“These improvements reflect our ongoing dedication to creating a safer, more welcoming transit environment for all,” the spokesperson said.
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