ATLANTA — Some MARTA riders are voicing safety concerns at some of the transit stations.
On Monday, Channel 2 Action News reported the connector in Downtown Atlanta had to be shut down after a man was standing on the ledge of the MARTA station that runs over the highway.
“You’re going to encounter problems at every station,” one MARTA rider told Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln. “We just want to go to work and come home.”
The rider asked not to be identified for safety concerns but told Lincoln on a daily she’s had to look over her shoulder with every commute.
“I’ve never been so scared just to go back and forth to work,” she told Lincoln.
Having to travel from Decatur to College Park on MARTA transit she said it’s the connecting hub at the Five Points Station downtown that gives her the most pause.
“That’s where it gets really bad. That’s where you have to constantly look over your shoulder, it’s something out of a Wild West book,” she said.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Jason Carter, grandson of Jimmy Carter speaks with GMA about former president’s life, legacy
- Retired award-winning Channel 2 consumer investigator Jim Strickland dies
- Atlanta Christian radio station ‘The Fish’ to go off the air at start of February
She said she’s witnessed stabbings, people jumping in front of trains, drug activity, and even homicide investigations in the last year.
On its website, the transit authority reported a significant reduction in violent crimes in 2022. In a statement, MARTA said.
“Safety is MARTA’s top priority. The MARTA Police Department (MPD) is committed to maintaining a secure environment across our transit system. We have a comprehensive safety plan in place, with sworn officers, Field Protective Specialists, and K-9 units providing 24/7 patrols across stations, trains, buses, and parking lots. Our Special Operations Unit, including SWAT and undercover officers, conducts targeted crime suppression details, and dedicated train patrols further enhance security throughout the system.
“MARTA’s network is equipped with thousands of cameras monitored in real-time from our operations center. By summer 2025, we will launch a fully operational Real-Time Crime Center to strengthen our ability to prevent and respond to incidents using advanced technology integrated with our CCTV system.
“We encourage customers to use the MARTA See & Say app to report crimes or suspicious activity anonymously. The app allows users to send photos, videos, and messages directly to our dispatchers. Riders can also use the blue and white emergency phones in stations or contact MPD at 404-848-4911.
“MPD works closely with the Atlanta Police Department’s Zone 2 and Zone 5 to further enhance safety in and around our transit system. We are committed to continuously evaluating and improving our security measures to ensure a safe transit experience for all.”
MARTA told Lincoln that it’s encouraging riders to use their app to report crimes.
The transit agency said by the summer of 2025, it plans to launch a fully operational real crime center.
©2024 Cox Media Group
