Safety and Security
You are our top priority.Whether you’re waiting to connect or travel to your final destination, RTD is focused on providing a Welcoming Transit Environment during every step of your journey. Our security and customer support teams work around the clock to ensure you safely reach your destination, and you have the information and tools needed for a comfortable and convenient connection.
We’re doubling down on our efforts to enhance your safety and security. RTD continues to add police officers, increase patrols across the system, and upgrade cameras and lighting at facilities to improve safety and surveillance. Our recently enhanced and real-time reporting tools, such as live look-in cameras on vehicles and the Transit Watch smartphone app, make it easier for RTD to quickly respond.
Here's how the agency is making transit safer for you.
Transit Watch: See. Say. Solve.
With RTD’s Transit Watch app, you never ride alone.
The app is a quick, easy, and anonymous way for riders to communicate directly to Transit Police about safety and security concerns. La aplicación Transit Watch ya está disponible en español.
Don't have a smart phone? Call or text RTD's Police Dispatch Center. In an emergency situation, always call 911.
Call: 303-299-2911
Text: 303-434-9100
Transit Police Strategies Currently Underway
The personal safety and security of customers across RTD’s 2,345 square-mile service area is supported by a comprehensive and coordinated effort, involving multiple law enforcement jurisdictions and security personnel. The RTD Transit Police Department operates a complex security model dedicated to providing a safe and secure transit system for our customers, employees, and the community.
Outreach and Support Personnel
In the spirit of compassion, RTD connects individuals to community services, resources, information, and other support not offered by the transit system. RTD deploys a team of mental health clinicians and unhoused outreach coordinators to support individuals who may need assistance or information about community resources.
Learn MoreIncreasing the number of unhoused outreach coordinators and mental health clinicians that are hired and deployed daily to assist individuals in need.
Making mental health resources, print materials, and signage available at facilities and on vehicles.
Proving in-person outreach and assistance to members of the community who are unhoused, experiencing mental health issues, or dealing with substance abuse challenges.
Training operators and other frontline staff to identify signs of a mental health crisis and how to connect individuals with available community resources.
Meet Alton Reynolds: RTD's Unhoused Outreach Coordinator
Facility Improvements and Vehicle Enhancements
RTD provides services connecting more than 9,700 bus stops and 75 rail stations across the Denver metro area. Ensuring stops, stations, and transit facilities are secure creates a welcoming transit environment for all customers. We use a strategic approach – Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) – to reduce crime and enhance public safety.
Adding Live Look-In Cameras on All Vehicles
A major technology project has added live look-in cameras on all buses, and the installation of similar cameras on light rail vehicles is currently underway. The system enables RTD’s public safety dispatchers to both view and hear individuals, situations, and events occurring on a vehicle in the moment.
Learn More
Monitoring Park-n-Rides and Garages
With more than 70 Park-n-Rides in RTD’s service area, the agency closely monitors all parking lots and garages, pedestrian bridges, and elevators. Security officers periodically check parked vehicles on its properties to ensure they are locked with windows closed and valuables out of sight. The officers leave behind a “report card” letting vehicle owners if they pass or fail the inspections so they can better keep their vehicles and belongings secure.
Increasing Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
RTD regularly cleans all vehicles, rail stations, and transit facilities to maintain a safe, welcoming environment for customers. Regular cleanings reduce hazards like spills and debris, removes graffiti, and reinforces public confidence in transit services.
Report A Maintenance Issue
Expanding the Customer Experience Elevator Program
In 2024, RTD reprogrammed elevators at select stations to rest with their doors open, an operational adjustment that limits and deters illegal and unwanted activities from taking place. Following the pilot program’s noteworthy success at three locations, the program was expanded to six light rail stations, and it is now being expanded to 70 additional elevators.
Learn More
Installing Vinyl Seats on All Vehicles
A comprehensive project is underway to replace cloth seats on light rail vehicles with vinyl. The decades-old wool blend fabric is being swapped out for vinyl-covered seating that is easier to clean and maintain. Crews are adding the updated seat coverings to additional light rail vehicles each week.
Watch a Video
Upgrading Lighting at Stations
To deter potential threats and support a more secure environment, RTD has installed brighter, well-placed lighting at stations and facilities to not only improve visibility and security, but reduce the risk of slips, trips, and other accidents. Do you have a suggestion for a location that needs enhanced lighting?
Let Us Know
Installed Bus Operator Barriers
RTD has added bus shield barriers to its fleet to support a safer environment for operators. The custom-built shields feature a safety glass system that is reinforced by a steel door. The barriers are engineered to withstand blunt force objects.
Learn More
Impact Team Ambassadors
In 2024, RTD launched a team of agency ambassadors to enhance customer service across all bus and rail services. Known as the Impact Team, the ambassadors provide on-site support during peak service times, major events, and service disruptions. The Impact Team is also trained to address immediate customer needs and report emergency situations and security concerns.
Learn MoreEfforts are underway to hire full-time agency ambassadors in 2025 to assist customers across the entire system every day.
Dispatching the agency's Impact Team ambassadors and RTD volunteers during planned and unplanned service disruptions.
Increasing the number of volunteers supporting customers at stops and stations during disruptions, major events, and peak service times.
Working with event planners and community groups to better coordinate the support provided to customers at high-volume stops and stations during events.
What is RTD's Impact Team?
Safety and Security News
RTD adds two K-9 units to its Transit Police to enhance safety efforts
Two new K-9 units joined the RTD-PD in November, with a third starting late December
RTD establishes detective bureau to bolster safety, pursue investigations
A detective lieutenant and two detectives began their roles within the Transit Police this month; RTD is ramping up the bureau to pursue caseloads for unlawful activity on its property
RTD Transit Police to start 24/7 patrols May 5
Overnight coverage will enhance the personal safety of all customers using RTD's services
RTD has added live look-in equipment for operator, customer safety
To support RTD’s Welcoming Transit Environment initiative, public safety dispatchers can view cameras in real time during emergency situations
Denver Police and Partners Announce Safety Enhancement Plan for LoDo and Ballpark District
RTD launches Police Cadet program
A new police cadet program allows students to earn college credit while exploring police work