The Metropolitan Atlanta Speedy Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Division (MPD) noticed a number of accomplishments in 2021, together with a major discount in violent crimes in 2021, offering further coaching and certification for officers and partnering with social service organizations to enhance the shopper expertise.
In 2021, MPD reported a 17 p.c discount in Half 1 crimes (violent and property crimes) in comparison with 2020, particularly a 32 p.c discount in robberies and 20 p.c discount in aggravated assaults. Moreover, the division boasted an virtually 100% clearance fee for aggravated assault circumstances and an 87 p.c clearance fee for robberies, that means a felony was arrested, charged or turned over to the courtroom system for prosecution.
Up to now yr, MARTA law enforcement officials responded to greater than 100,000 requires service from prospects utilizing 851 or MARTA’s See&Say app. New know-how reminiscent of handheld fare readers and RapidID displays, together with new weapons and upgrades to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robotic, helped officers higher deal with crimes from fare evasion to a suspicious package deal.
Officers additionally underwent superior coaching in disaster intervention, de-escalation methods and implicit bias, additional aiding them in navigating conditions the place feelings and stress ranges are excessive.
MPD’s partnerships with fellow regulation enforcement companies previously yr offered further officer visibility and safety to the MARTA system and surrounding communities. Final July, MPD’s Central Precinct partnered with the Atlanta Police Division and Georgia State College regulation enforcement on a joint crime suppression element the place an officer from every company patrolled the Georgia State rail station and close by neighborhoods. The same element consisting of MARTA and Atlanta bicycle officers patrolled the Lindbergh/Morosgo space and reported a seven p.c discount in crime.
“These joint particulars are essential community-style policing efforts that guarantee folks really feel protected and that their property is safe whether or not they’re using MARTA or working and residing close to a rail station,” mentioned MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher. “I actually imagine there isn’t a extra noble career that regulation enforcement and I’m pleased with the work our officers are doing throughout a difficult time because the pandemic enters its third yr.”
MARTA Police Division Area Protecting Specialists stay an integral a part of the Authority’s MARTA Hope Program. These educated, unarmed specialists accompany social service professionals from HOPE Atlanta as they help and assist homeless people on the MARTA system. This system, began in August 2020 as COVID-related homelessness elevated, is designed to seek out options that safeguard prospects and staff, reduce the necessity to contain MARTA police in non-criminal actions, and deal with everybody with dignity and respect. Since its inception, this system has engaged over 3,000 people and in lots of circumstances related them with sources and assist companies.
MPD’s accomplishments in 2021, that included certifying 19 new Tactical Area Officers and enhancing regional regulation enforcement partnerships with up to date memorandums of understanding, earned the division an essential recertification of state and federal accreditation requirements.
