Trimet Crime Drops Overall While Attacks on Drivers Almost Doubled

Crime reported by TriMet riders fell 37 percent last year compared to the year before, the transit agency said Wednesday.

In 2015, there were 366 crimes reported by riders, compared to 581 in 2014. Of those 259 were reported on board vehicles, at stops and stations while 107 were reported vehicle crimes at park and rides.

"While the drop in crimes reported by customers is encouraging, we will not get complacent and will keep our focus on continuous opportunities to improve the security of our riders and our transit system," said TriMet’s Executive Director of Safety and Security Harry Saporta.

Thefts were the highest percentage of reported crimes.

There were 132 in 2015, down 52 percent in 2014.

It was not all good news.

Crimes against TriMet employees were up significantly. There were 41 reported crimes last year compared to 28 from the year before.

The agency said particularly disturbing was the increase in aggravated assault and episodes of harassment and menacing.

The number of those episodes went to 29 last year compared to eight the year before.

Seventeen of those incidents involved bus operators.

"Our frontline employees work hard every day providing a vital service to our community and they should be treated with common courtesy," said TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane. "I have tasked our Transit Police Division and Executive Director Saporta with exploring what else can be done to protect our frontline employees."