SEPTA police are offering a $ 1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of four suspects wanted in an attack on a SEPTA employee last week.
Video transcription
– An attack on a SEPTA employee in Center City, Philadelphia, has sparked outrage from the Transport Workers Union and calls for the chief of SEPTA police to resign. I was sent to headquarters tonight as action news reporter George Solis. George, statistics apparently show that work for SEPTA has become more dangerous in 2021.
GEORGE SOLIS: That’s right, Jim, and the principal even admitted that things have not started well so far this year. That said, he has defended his administration, saying he has no plans to retire. We want to warn viewers at home, some of the videos you are going to see may be graphic.
Footage released Thursday by the Transport Workers Union, which represents SEPTA transit employees, captured the disturbing moments as one of their own was teeming with teens in an unresolved assault at 15 Street Station in Center City. SEPTA officials said the shameless attack took place on March 15 around 11:30 p.m. The unnamed employee is apparently recovering at home with numerous injuries.
WILLIE BRUIN: He almost lost consciousness and was quite badly bruised, but he came.
MAIN THOMAS NESTEL: This behavior is completely unacceptable, we do not want our employees or any of these riders to suffer from this kind of behavior.
GEORGE SOLIS: Thomas Nestel, chief of police transit police, held a press conference following the release of the video and calls from the union to resign amid allegations that police are not doing enough from policy to transparency to employees and riders to protect.
WILLIE BRUIN: SEPTA does not want to report this because it gives them a black eye. I think they’re trying to keep it quiet.
GEORGE SOLIS: While SEPTA data given to Action News shows a general decline in reported incidents against employees and things like harassment and physical assault between 2019 and 2020, Chief Nestel noted that things are less stable so far in 2021. The pandemic is causing several problems, especially in the area of mental health. He said another challenge was to address cases against offenders.
MAIN THOMAS NESTEL: We need help from the mental health system. We need help from the legal system.
GEORGE SOLIS: The Workers’ Union is not the only group now being called for a change in leadership.
TROY PARHAM: Was about 22 years old and this is the lowest I have ever seen.
GEORGE SOLIS: The Fraternal Order of Transit Police also called for the chief to resign.
TROY PARHAM: It’s getting to the point now and I think it’s just … it’s time.
GEORGE SOLIS: And again, the principal says he has no plans to retire. He also defends the number of officers he currently has, which is also questioned by the union. He did say that he plans to add security officers – about 60 of them – to some of SEPTA’s heaviest terminals. Your Life in Center City Tonight, George Solis, Channel Six Action News. Jim.
– Thanks George.