Houston leaders zero in on transit safety as crime rises

HOUSTON (KIAH) — Houston’s Public Safety Committee met on Tuesday with a sharp focus to tackle rising crime on and around the city’s transit system.

At the center of the discussion was the METRO Police Department, which reached a full staff of 200 frontline officers this year, both in uniform and undercover, up from just over 145 officers, putting more boots on the ground and eyes on troubled areas. Officials say the milestone is already paying off with more officers available.

METRO police chief Ban Tien stated MPD plans to expand visibility through new satellite substations, which would improve response times across its 1,300-square-mile jurisdiction. Tien highlighted initiatives centered on building community trust and addressing issues in hotspot areas. He explained that morning oper