SEPTA To Crack Down On Smoking, Drinking, Urinating, More

PHILADELPHIA — SEPTA will again be enforcing quality-of-life violations as part of an effort to discourage incidents, focus on repeat offenders, and enhance the customer experience.

The transit authority said the enforcement will begin July 1.

SEPTA Transit Police will issue Code Violation Notices for some of those low-level crimes, including alcohol consumption, public urination, smoking, littering, and other offenses.

Transit Police will issue a ticket to the offender and forward a copy of the ticket to the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Administrative Review.

Fines will range from $25 to $150.

Offenders will have the option to pay the fine or request a court date. The Office of Administrative Review will track unpaid fines, and chronic offenders will be banned from entering SEPTA property.

"The shift to Code Violation Notices demonstrates our commitment to stepping up enforcement of quality-of-life offenses," SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie S. Richards said. "These violations are often the subject of customer complaints and can be associated with more serious crimes. Our customers and employees deserve to feel safe when they are traveling on SEPTA."

Since 2019, SEPTA Transit Police have issued Administrative Enforcement Notices for quality-of-life violations. These notices carry a fine, but are not court-enforced. An evaluation of the program determined that it is not effective in deterring anti-social behaviors that negatively impact SEPTA customers.

"Code Violation Notices are legal instruments backed by the courts," SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson said. "With this change, SEPTA is sending a clear message to would-be offenders: If you commit an offense on SEPTA property, you will be held accountable."

SEPTA Transit Police are still increasing visible patrols across the system, with more officers strategically deployed at stations and on trains, trolleys, and buses.