What’s the most crime-ridden bus line or the worst San Francisco intersection to ride through? The SFPD has released crime statistics compiled from 2008 and 2009, which tell us facts that some may already know about the Muni bus system but also perhaps others would find surprising.
Above: Top ten Muni bus lines rated by reported crime incidents in 2008
Above: Top ten Muni bus lines rated by reported crime incidents in 2009
It probably comes as no surprise to many that the most crime-ridden bus line in San Francisco is the 14 Mission St. line, which all by itself contributes more than 8 percent of the total crimes on the city’s buses.
In second place is the 38 and 38L Geary Boulevard line, the main traffic artery to the Richmond district, contributing more than 7 percent to SF’s bus crimes.
Reliability is the new hallmark of Muni, and the third-worst crime line in the city is reliably in the same position as the year before. The 9x San Bruno Express line contributed 6 percent of the total crime incidents.
In fact, all three lines placed exactly the same both years; so the stats from these lines, like their bus drivers, don’t come with change.
Crime on the 54 Felton line, however, dropped like sparks from a shorting overhead cable. That line went from fourth place in 2008, down to the tenth slot in 2009, reduced by three percentage points in overall crime. Replacing it is the 9 San Bruno line, which contributed more than five percent of the crime in 2009.
Moving up one position, to fifth place, is the 49 Van Ness. More than 4 percent of Muni crime was on that 49 line in ‘09.
Crime on the 44 O’Shaughnessy line barely rose above 4 percent, yet it was enough for the line to crawl up from seventh to sixth place, like that bus crawls through traffic when it’s approaching Twin Peaks during rush hour.
Above: Top ten most prevalent types of criminal behavior on Muni lines in 2008.
Above: Top ten most prevalent types of crime on Muni lines in 2009.
Of the types of crimes that make up the total, almost a quarter of them were crimes of vandalism. More than 15 percent of them were for some kind of disturbance or disorderly conduct and more than 10 percent were for assault on a passenger. Reported thefts make up more than 5 percent, as does assault on an operator.
Robbery on buses dropped below 5 percent and fell two positions on the top (or bottom, if you like) ten list, down to eighth place.
Belligerent drunks, on other hand, appear to be gaining momentum, breaking into the 5-percent-of-crime-club in 2009, rising above that mark and into the sixth position.
Above: Top ten SF intersections where crime was committed on Muni buses in 2008.
Above: Top ten SF intersections where crime was committed on Muni buses in 2009.
In the list of top intersections involving crimes on Muni, 16th and Mission streets shot up from third place in ’08 to first in ’09.
Geneva Avenue and Mission St. jumped from eighth position in ’08, to second place in ’09; farther than a startled pedestrian listening to an ipod.
Rudely shoving its way up from fourth place in ’08, to third in ’09, is 7th and Market streets.
Though not even on the list in 2008, in fourth place for 2009 the intersection of Mission and 30th streets suddenly appears, like a homeless person hopping in through the back door before it closes.
Above: Crime incidents on Muni bus lines by time of day in 2008.
Above: Crime incidents on Muni bus lines by time of day in 2009
Above: Crime incidents on Muni bus lines by day of the week in 2008
Above: Crime incidents on Muni bus lines by day of the week in 2009
Above: Crime incidents on Muni bus lines by month in 2009
Years: 2008 2009
Total incidents reported on Muni between Jan. and Dec. 1221 1514
Average incidents reported per month: 101.75 126.17
Reported Muni crime incidents per capita: 1.58 per 1.96 per
1000 people
Statistics prepared by the City Services Auditor in the SF Controller's office
Statistic source: MTA Transitsafe Database
Comments
those are all bus lines serving the city with problems of crime. but I've been reporting for the last two years, the dumbest bus line is the 16x where a bunch of goofies think some dude is famous riding it. there is no such thing. and then to top more on stupid, the drivers are wondering who this dude is. it's not their job to figure out who anybody is.
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