Service + Solidarity Spotlight: ATU Calls on Authorities to Curb Rising Crime on Phoenix’s Public Transportation

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Newly released data from the city of Phoenix show that crime has hit a five-year high in and around the city’s public transportation network. Rising numbers of aggravated assaults and drug crimes are contributing to the crime increase on Phoenix’s public transit. Transit workers and the riding public in Arizona’s largest city are not alone. Rising crime is happening in many public transportation systems across the country, and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) is aiming to put a stop to it.

Bob Bean, president of ATU Local 1433 in Phoenix, told 12 News that transit crime noticeably escalated at the start of the pandemic.

“I think it’s between the city and the companies to put something forward to try and curb what’s going on out there,” he said. “The public should be able to ride the bus without having to worry about any of the garbage going on.”