Crime on METRO rail platforms triples as videos are released of violent attacks showing officers’ delayed reactions

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — METRO’s police chief responds to videos of 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 job.

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

SEE ALSO: Two people were shot on the METRORail platform on Fulton Street after a fight on the train, police say

A separate, more disturbing video captured a sexual assault in progress. The victim is unconscious. The responding officers have an apparently non-urgent response.

“They arrived within fourteen minutes,” Bumpers explained. “They responded with the information they had. The dispatcher initially dismissed it as an indecent exposure. No one was involved. He just exposed himself.”

According to METRO’s website, major crimes, including sexual violence, have almost tripled in the past 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 are going to do what is necessary to guarantee the safety of everyone,” Bumpers said.

Bumpers say this means adding 20 new police officers to the force next year, as well as armed guards throughout the transit system.

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

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

Police are still looking for the suspect who sexually assaulted a woman on video.

Edwin Lamont Smith wasn’t charged until they were able to talk to the victim. He now has a warrant for his arrest.

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