SECURITY ASSESSMENT OF SAN DIEGO LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SERVICE

Comments from citizen groups and recent media attention describing crimes at or near light rail stations spurred the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board (MTDB) to request that the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) investigate the impact of introducing light rail service on crime activity in the community. SANDAG was also asked to evaluate the perceptions of trolley safety of both trolley riders and nonriders. In Phase 1 of the crime analysis, SANDAG reviewed crime data provided by local police and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The study area is located in the east suburban portion of San Diego County. Changes in property and violent crime rates were compared over a 5-year period for the communities surrounding light rail stations, for the study area as a whole, and for the San Diego region. Phase 2 of this study focused on crimes within a radius of 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 mi (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 km) of station loading platforms. Crime rates were evaluated before and after the service extension in 1989. The violent crime rate increased less in communities surrounding trolley stations than in the study area as a whole. The overall property crime rate decreased more than in the study area. However, Phase 2 identified a dramatic increase in crime within a 1/8-mi (0.2-km) radius of trolley loading platforms. Property crimes, most notably car theft increased the most. (Since most stations were built on vacant land, any type of development would be expected to increase the number of crimes occurring there.) Two surveys, one of trolley riders and the other of MTDB area residents, were also conducted by SANDAG and provide insight into the perceptions of safety and security of trolley users and of the general public. Crime stands out as a major concern for San Diego residents.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Digital/other
  • Features: Figures;
  • Pagination: p. 257-262
  • Monograph Title: SEVENTH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, NOVEMBER 12-15, 1995. VOLUME 1
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00716786
  • Record Type: Publication
  • ISBN: 0309061520
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Jan 30 1996 12:00AM