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SEPTA cracking down on 'quality of life' issues
Starting Monday, SEPTA police are cracking down on "quality-of-life offenses" with a policy aimed at "discouraging incidents, focusing on repeat offenders, and enhancing the customer experience."
PHILADELPHIA - Drinking alcohol, urinating, smoking or littering on SEPTA could get you a ticket - or even a lifetime ban!
Starting Monday, SEPTA police are cracking down on "quality-of-life offenses" with a policy aimed at encouraging better behavior on public transportation.
Tickets will be handed out to anyone caught drinking alcohol, smoking, littering and urinating in public.
Fines range from $25-150, and chronic offenders will be banned from SEPTA property, and possibly arrested.
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"You can only ignore a ticket for so long," SEPTA Police Chief Chuck Lawson said.
And with recent backing by Philadelphia courts, the policy is now more enforceable.
SEPTA says these low-level offenses are often the subject of customer complaints, and can lead to more serious crime.
The change comes as police increase visible patrols and deploy a virtual unit in an effort to enhance safety and security for riders.