PHOENIX (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 Phoenix-area bus and light rail riders are seeing the results of Valley Metro upping its security, with some crimes up and others down. <\/p>\n
According to numbers obtained from Arizona\u2019s Family, Valley Metro<\/a> saw a 50% decrease in \u201ccrimes against persons,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u201ccode of conduct\u201d violations, like trespassing, disorderly conduct and open containers.<\/p>\n In a statement to Arizona\u2019s Family, Valley Metro said it has improved<\/a> 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<\/a> in downtown Phoenix last June.<\/p>\n \u201cThis integrated, multi-layered approach to safety and service is delivering measurable results,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n \u201cThese improvements reflect our ongoing dedication to creating a safer, more welcoming transit environment for all,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n