Muni Crime Takes a Dip as Police Narrow Focus

Muni crime took a big dip during the last two months.

Deputy Chief John Murphy told the Municipal Transportation Agency that Muni crime has dropped dramatically ever since officers were told they could no longer randomly jump on and off the bus. Instead, the department analyzed Muni crime data and assigned police to vulnerable lines during high crime periods.

"Very few of them are identified as being a problem, and so by focusing on those lines, we're hoping to really drop crime considerably," said Murphy.

Statistics suggest the new approach is working. Muni averaged 114 crimes each month during the first three months of the year, but there were only 62 in May and June.

"You know, if you have traffic accidents at 'Walk' and 'Don't Walk' at 5 at night, where do you think you should put increased patrols?" said Murphy.

There have been 569 crimes reported on Muni this year, with graffiti and pick pocketing the most common.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board voted Tuesday to restore 50 percent of the 10 percent Muni service cuts that occurred in early May.

Cuts in the late night Owl service were among those rescinded.

The MTA board voted to restore 30 minute headways on five late night owl lines. They were cut to 45 minutes two months ago. It also voted to add capacity on 13 lines and the rail system and to move back end times on some routes as well.

While the public welcomed the service restoration some Muni riders are still pretty mad about what's happened to their transit service.

"Restoring half of the service that was cut from service that was inadequate to begin with, well we're not going to say no, but my suggestion is stop treating us like idiots. Stop insulting us," said one frustrated meeting attendee.

Another man who attended argued that the cuts should have never happened in the first place, saying that taking away ten percent and now giving back five wasn't enough.

The MTA board voted to restore half the cuts on September 4th with a caveat.

Muni must first receive money promised by both the city transportation authority and the metropolitan transportation commission to pay for the service.

To get details of the service restorations click here