The National Police Association Backs the Safe Transit Act

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Police Association (NPA) endorses the Safe Transit Act (S. 5492 / H.R. 10902), introduced by Sen. Bill Hagerty (TN) in the Senate and Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) in the House. It aims to reduce crime on U.S. public transportation systems by linking Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding to safety requirements. It has been referred to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; text for the Senate bill is here; the House bill is here.

Urban centers, including New York and Chicago, grapple with violent crime on their transit systems. Victims have been pushed onto subway tracks, shot, stabbed, and set on fire.

The bill addresses these concerns by authorizing the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to withhold up to 100% of FTA transit formula grants from jurisdictions that don't comply with these provisions: Treating fare evasion as a criminal offense; including a provision banning anyone who's committed a violent crime on a public transportation system from riding on that system; and denying unconditional or signature-based pretrial release for a defendant.

A suspect who violently assaulted a woman on a Chicago train in November 2025 reportedly had 72 prior arrests. "Had this person been prohibited from using public transportation as stipulated in the Safe Transit Act, this victim could have been spared," said Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association.

The bill requires transit agencies to invest at least 3% of FTA funding into crime prevention initiatives like improved lighting, cameras, and call boxes. It authorizes USDOT to withhold up to 50% of funding from jurisdictions with significantly higher transit crime rates than the national average.

It establishes nationwide performance standards for turnstiles to stop fare evaders. "Fare evasion results in revenue losses and can be an entry point for those with criminal intent," Fitzsimmons added.

The NPA commends Sen. Hagerty and Rep. Van Drew for introducing the Safe Transit Act, legislation that incentivizes public transit systems to adopt robust crime prevention measures. We ask Congress to prioritize it.

To support anti-crime, pro-police legislation, join the NPA's Call to Action team. Receive email alerts on bills, including which lawmakers to contact.

About: The National Police Association (NPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and the courts. For more information, visit NationalPolice.org.

Media Contact:
Paula Fitzsimmons
302.469.1765
[email protected] 

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SOURCE National Police Association