SEPTA Implements Code Violation Fines for Quality of Life ViolationsSEPTA Implements Code Violation Fines for Quality of Life Violations SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) has announced plans to implement code violation fines ranging from $25 to $150 for violations of quality of life rules on its public transportation system. These violations include: * Consuming alcohol on SEPTA property * Urinating in public * Smoking * Littering * Other violations The measure aims to improve safety and cleanliness on SEPTA by giving officers the authority to issue tickets for these violations. Enforcement begins Monday, July 1, 2024. Enforcement Process Transit Police will issue citations to violators, which will be forwarded to the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Administrative Review. Passengers can choose to pay the fine or request a court hearing to contest it. Chronic violators will be prohibited from using SEPTA property. Reasons for Code Violation Fines SEPTA officials state that these fines are intended to: * Address misconduct issues * Deter repeat offenders * Improve the overall customer experience on SEPTA Other SEPTA Initiatives In addition to code violation fines, SEPTA is implementing other measures to enhance safety and cleanliness: * Increased visible patrols at stations * Hiring more officers * Appointment of a special prosecutor for crimes on SEPTA property Conclusion SEPTA’s implementation of code violation fines is part of a broader effort to improve the quality of life on its public transportation system. By cracking down on misconduct and promoting accountability, SEPTA hopes to create a safer and more enjoyable experience for its customers.
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Gone are the days when you could drink a 3-gallon beer on the Broad Street Line on the way to a Phillies game. From Monday, SEPTA public transport agents will issue fines for violations of the quality of life rules.
The measure is aimed at improving safety and cleanliness in the public transportation system and gives officers the ability to issue tickets for violations of quality of life rules, including consuming alcohol on SEPTA property, urinating in public, smoking, littering and other violations.
The fines range from $25 to $150 and authorities say they are intended to address misconduct issues. Authorities also hope to crack down on repeat offenders and improve the overall customer experience at SEPTA locations.
Enforcement will begin on Monday, July 1, 2024.
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“The move to Code Violation Notices demonstrates our commitment to increasing enforcement of quality of life violations,” SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards said in a statement about the new ticketing effort. “These violations are often the subject of customer complaints and can be associated with more serious crimes. Our customers and employees deserve to feel safe when traveling on SEPTA.”
Under this policy, Transit Police will issue a citation to the violator and forward a copy of the citation to the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Administrative Review. Passengers who receive a fine will be given the option to pay the fine or request a court hearing to contest the fine.
The Office of Administrative Review will be responsible for tracking unpaid fines and chronic violators will be prohibited from being on any SEPTA property, according to officials.
In a statement about the new practice, SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson noted that it would be a step up from the administrative enforcement notices officers have been issuing since 2019, as those fines would be enforced in court.
“Code Violation Notices are legal tools that are backed by the courts,” said Charles Lawson, Chief of the SEPTA Transit Police. “With this change, SEPTA is sending a clear message to potential violators: If you commit a violation on SEPTA property, you will be held accountable.”
Officials said SEPTA police will continue to increase visible patrols at stations and hire more officers.
SEPTA also recently acquired a special prosecutor for crimes that occur on SEPTA property. A Pennsylvania court has dismissed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s lawsuit against Act 40, a law that creates a special prosecutor to handle crimes on SEPTA property.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry also announced that attorney Michael Untermeyer has been appointed as special prosecutor.
