SEPTA cracks down on public nuisances

SEPTA is increasing fines for smoking, drinking alcohol, littering and committing other "quality-of-life" offenses on the public transit system.

Why it matters: The new rule change for these low-level crimes comes with ramped-up enforcement to go after violators, who will have to pay penalties or fight them in court.

How it works: Under the new policy, enforced by the city's Office of Administrative Review, fines for "quality-of-life" offenses range from $25-$150.

• People face enhanced penalties for not paying their fines and can have their cases bumped up to municipal court, per the Inquirer.
• The city will track individuals who don't pay and can ban them from SEPTA.

The big picture: SEPTA has used its surveillance system to deploy officers to crime hotspots, and has increased patrols across the transit system.

• Those efforts led to a 45% decrease in serious crimes during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same point last year, per a news release.
• SEPTA's efforts align with Mayor Cherelle Parker's mission to reduce crime following residents' complaints about lawlessness .

Flashback: SEPTA once handed out $25 administrative fines to rules violators.

• But officials had little recourse when people blew off those tickets because they were costly for the agency to enforce in court.

What they're saying: The new enforcement effort lets people know, "You will be held accountable," SEPTA transit police chief Charles Lawson said in a statement.

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