METRO police chief responds to videos showing violent incidents along rail line

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Chief of the METRO Police Department is reacting to videos showing violent incidents on rail platforms.

A METRO insider shared the videos with ABC13, claiming they expose problems within the department. Chief Vera Bumpers says they show officers doing their jobs.

All the videos are from the Northline Transit Center. In two of them, officers are struggling with suspects and have to use their Tasers. At times, bystanders step in to help.

SEE ALSO: 2 people shot on METRORail platform on Fulton Street after fight on train, police say

A separate, more disturbing video captured a sexual assault in progress. The victim is unconscious. The responding officers have what appears to be a less-than-urgent response.

"They did arrive in 14 minutes," Bumpers explained. "They were responding with the information they had. The dispatcher initially dispatched that as an indecent exposure. Nobody involved. He was just showing himself."

According to METRO's website, major crimes, which include sex assaults, have nearly tripled over the last two fiscal years, from 460 in 2022-2023 to 1,279 in 2023 to 2024.

Bumpers attribute the increase partly to new reporting categories but admit it cannot be ignored.

"We're going to do whatever we need to do to ensure everyone's safety," said Bumpers.

Bumpers say that means adding 20 new police officers to the force next year and armed security guards throughout the transit system.

The officers shown in the video were said to have used their training and were able to take the suspects into custody, Bumpers said.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story indicated Metro police were looking for the sexual assault suspect. But Metro police sent ABC13 this email Friday indicating that they provided us with incorrect information:

"Chief Bumpers clarified that there was a mix-up regarding two cases during her interview. Edwin Lamont Smith was wanted for felony sexual assault from a separate incident in May. He was arrested Thursday afternoon. The video you shared occurred on the Purple Line and the woman involved declined to press charges. MPD presented the case to the Harris County District Attorney's Office, but charges were declined due to lack of prosecution."

SEE HERE: Man stabbed to death during fight on METRORail train near downtown Houston, police say

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