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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Security Events of Crime by Transit Mode

(substantial damage threshold)

Embedded Dataset Excel:

Dataset Excel:

table_02_38_012925.xlsx (32.85 KB)

Notes:

Data is from transit agencies in urbanized areas with a population over 50,000 and include patrons, employees, and others. Includes only agencies with greater than 30 vehicles operated in maximum service.

An Assault, Robbery or Theft  has the potential to be a reportable incident, only the incidents meeting the thresholds are reported on the Reportable Incident form (S&S-40) e.g., injury requiring immediate transport away from the scene, fatality, an evacuation for life-safety reasons, or estimated property damage equal to or exceeding $25,000 (changed to Substantial Damage in 2017). 

Reporting methods and methodology change in 2020, not comparable with previous editions.

Beginning in 2016, attempted suicides and Suicides are reported under Other if there was no contact with a transit vehicle, and a collision (Safety Event) if the event involved contact with a transit vehicle. Suicides and Attempted Suicides are not included in this dataset.

Description:

KEY: P = preliminary; R = revised; U = data are not available.

 

a Security Events must meet the National Transit Database (NTD) reporting threshold i.e., injury requiring immediate transport away from the scene, fatality, an evacuation for life-safety reasons, or estimated property damage equal to or exceeding $25,000. In 2017, Monetary damage of $25,000 or more was changed to Substantial Damage (Damage to any involved vehicles, facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure that disrupts the operations of the rail transit agency AND adversely affects the structural strength, performance, or operating characteristics of the vehicle, facility, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure, requiring towing, rescue, on-site maintenance, or immediate removal prior to safe operation.). Serious Injuries (requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days from the date of the event; results in a fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose); causes severe hemorrhages or nerve, muscle, or tendon damage; involves an internal organ; or involves second- or third-degree burns, or any burns affecting more than five percent of the body surface.) which do not require transport from the scene were added.

b The killing of one or more human beings by another. This includes murder, non-negligent manslaughter, and manslaughter by negligence. 

c Motor bus transit mode includes trolley bus.

d Light rail transit mode includes street car rail. 

e Other transit mode includes automated guideway, cable car, ferryboat, hybrid rail, monorail, publico, vanpool, inclined plane, and the Alaska Railroad.

f The carnal knowledge of a person forcibly and/or against that person's will, or not forcibly or against that person's will if the victim is incapable of giving consent because of age or because of his or her temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.

g The taking, or attempting to take, anything of value under confrontational circumstances from the control, custody, or care of another person by force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear of immediate harm.

h An unlawful attack or attempt by one person upon another. This includes incidents where injury resulted requiring immediate transport away from the scene. Prior to 2010, figure is for aggravated assaults only. NTD no longer makes the distinction between aggravated assaults (major violent crimes) and simple assaults (minor).

i The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another. This includes pocket-picking, purse-snatching, shoplifting, theft of motor vehicles, thefts from motor vehicles, thefts of motor vehicle parts and accessories, theft of bicycles, theft from buildings, theft from coin-operated devices or machines, and all other theft not specifically classified. 

j The willful or malicious destruction or defacement of transit property or vehicles.

k Suspicious package includes bomb threats.

l Other Security Events includes arson, bombing, burglary, chemical / biological / nuclear / radiological, hijacking and other. 

Source:

2008-13: Federal Transit Administration, Office of Safety and Security, National Transit Database, personal communication, Apr. 11, 2019 and Oct. 29, 2020. 

2014-24: U.S. Department of Transportation, Major Safety Events, available at https://data.transportation.gov/Public-Transit/Major-Safety-Events/9ivb-8ae9 as of Jan. 8, 2025.