Only on 13: We ride along METRO PD ahead of launch of new bus patrol initiative
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Starting Sept. 1, you may see more uniformed METRO officers spending time on your public transit commute in Houston.
METRO confirmed its officers will spend more time on buses to reduce crime and improve the public's perception of the system's safety.
"I do feel it's an unfair stereotype," METRO PD Sgt. Omar Franklin said. "When I first heard that, I was like, really? But as I started to ride the system, I've been to several cities, I was like, this is actually very safe."
According to the latest METRO Police Department data from October 2024 and September 2025, 517 major crimes occurred during that period -- just over one major crime per day.
A major crime can range from a phone being stolen to homicides. METRO said someone does not have to be injured for it to be considered a major crime.
METRO data shows more than 226,000 people ride Houston's public transit system every weekday.
"We're here for them and not showing up for them only when there is a call," Franklin said.
The patrols, METRO said, will help deter crime and make riders feel safer, now that all sworn METRO officers, including the top brass, will spend at least two hours a week riding buses.
It's a change METRO rider Towan Triso said is needed.
"I think it would interact with some of the conflict between people on the bus, and the bus driver won't have to be distracted as much," Triso said.
The change will have officers on buses for at least 580 more hours a week and will track which lines are patrolled and when.
"Having the police presence, especially in off hours, is a good thing to do," Sidhant Kumar said.
Officers on bus patrols will also conduct welfare checks at bus stops and report any that need maintenance.
"This is nothing new for us; we just want to ensure that everyone gets a piece of the pie and we share the wealth," Franklin said.
METRO typically releases its latest crime statistics in September and told ABC13 it is working on compiling them.
METRO says that while this initiative is bus-specific, they also have a presence on the light rail.
