Crime on METRO train platforms has tripled as videos of violent attacks were released with officers slow to respond

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — METRO police chief responds to videos showing violent incidents on train platforms.

A METRO insider shared the videos with ABC13, claiming they exposed problems within the department. Chief Vera Bumpers says they show officers at work.

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

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

A separate, more disturbing video showed a sexual assault in progress. The victim is unconscious. The responding officers do not appear to have an urgent response.

“They arrived in 14 minutes,” Bumpers explained. “They responded with the information they had. The dispatcher initially dismissed it as an indecent revelation. Nobody was involved. He just showed himself.”

According to METRO's website, serious crimes, which include sexual assault, have nearly tripled in the last two fiscal years, from 460 in 2022-2023 to 1,279 in 2023-2024.

Bumper advocates attribute the increase in part to new reporting categories, but admit it cannot be ignored.

“We will do whatever is necessary to keep everyone safe,” Bumpers said.

Bumpers says this means the force will expand next year with 20 new police officers and armed security guards across the transit system.

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

SEE HERE: Man stabbed in fight on METRORail train near downtown Houston, police said

Police are still searching for the suspect who is said to have sexually assaulted a woman on video.

Edwin Lamont Smith was not charged until they were able to speak to the victim. There is now an arrest warrant against him.

To learn more about this story, follow Jessica Willey on Facebook. X and Instagram.