WMATA Implements Stricter Bans for Repeat Offenders on Public Transit
New Policy to Combat Crime on Metro
Starting this Sunday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has rolled out a significant policy change aimed at reducing crime on its transit system. The authority has increased the ban period for passengers who are arrested or cited for certain offenses, extending the maximum ban from 24 hours to up to one year for repeat offenders.
Types of Offenses Leading to Ban
WMATA has identified three categories of offenses that will now result in a ban from its trains and buses:
- Sex or sex-related crimes
- Assaults on Metro employees or customers
- Violations of Metro passenger conduct rules
Under the new guidelines, the duration of a ban will be determined by the number of offenses a passenger has committed:
- Second Offense: 90-day ban
- Third Offense: 365-day ban
This initiative aims to bolster WMATA’s crime prevention efforts, as noted by WMATA CEO Randy Clarke. He indicated that the new policy serves as "an extra tool to prevent repeat offenses" and hopes to create a safer environment for all passengers.
Increased Transit Police Presence
In conjunction with the ban, WMATA has also committed to enhancing its security measures. The agency will increase the presence of both uniformed and undercover Metro Transit Police and is investing in infrastructure improvements, including the installation of five-foot gates at all 98 Metrorail stations in the D.C. metropolitan area.
During a board meeting in March, WMATA spokesperson Jordan Pascale explained that anyone boarding a Metro vehicle during their ban would be arrested for unlawful entry or trespassing. Offenders would receive a formal notice detailing the ban period, and their SmarTrip cards would be deactivated to prevent re-entry.
Focus on Persistent Offenders
Metro Transit Police Chief Mike Anzallo highlighted the new policy as a critical step in managing habitual offenders. He reported that approximately 40 individuals frequently engage in disruptive behavior on Metro services. The effectiveness of these bans will hinge on the ability to track and monitor these passengers through a photographic database.
"The new policy allows us to take swift action against problem riders," Chief Anzallo stated. "Once they are banned, if they return, we have a record of who they are, and they will be arrested."
Note: The implementation of this policy appears to have been initiated a day earlier than its originally announced start date.
As WMATA continues to refine its security measures, the agency remains focused on ensuring the safety and comfort of all riders in the Washington, D.C. area.
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Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.