Emma Griffin was riding the light rail home when a man sat across from her. He then moved closer, whispered in her ear, and touched her inner thigh. Feeling unsafe, Griffin decided to get off the train at the next stop southwest of downtown and ran away as fast as she could.
Alone with the man on the train, Griffin hesitated to call the police, knowing they wouldn’t arrive in time and fearing that reaching for her phone could escalate the situation. Instead, she used RTD’s Transit Watch app to report the incident that occurred on March 4, 2024.
With safety concerns becoming a major challenge for RTD in attracting passengers, newly elected director Patrick O’Keefe acknowledged that safety and security are top priorities for riders.
Despite efforts to enhance security, such as deploying more police officers and installing surveillance systems on buses, many light rail trains still lack the same level of surveillance. State regulators have mandated that RTD install live-look surveillance on all light rail trains by June 2027.
Rider fears persist, as evidenced by the high number of calls made to RTD dispatchers requesting police assistance. The Transit Watch app data revealed that illegal drug use, fights, indecent exposure, and non-violent harassment were among the top safety concerns reported by riders.
RTD officials are working to address these issues by increasing police presence, deploying transit ambassadors, and negotiating agreements with partner police forces to improve response times.
Directors Chris Nicholson and Brett Paglieri are spearheading efforts to create a more welcoming transit environment and address security challenges. They emphasized the importance of making RTD safe for customers while deterring harmful behavior.
Grassroots advocates at Greater Denver Transit stressed the need for safety measures to restore ridership, which has declined significantly in recent years.
Public transit advocates like Richard Bamber highlighted the urgency of better policing and surveillance to ensure a safer environment for passengers. He shared a personal experience of being assaulted on an RTD bus and emphasized the need for improved security measures.
As RTD works towards enhancing safety and security on buses and trains, the ultimate goal is to create a welcoming environment for passengers while cracking down on misconduct and threats. By prioritizing safety, RTD aims to rebuild trust and attract more riders to public transit.
