DC Metro changes policy on publicizing crimes amid scrutiny

Washington’s Metrorail system will notify the public about violent crimes on the same day they occur, after receiving a flurry of criticism for not immediately publicizing an alleged rape that took place on a subway car last month.

{mosads}Just hours after a congressional hearing on Metro safety Tuesday morning, the Metro Transit Police Department tweeted that General Manager Paul Wiedefeld told the department to notify the public about violent crimes the day they happen, as long as the information doesn’t hinder the investigation.

Metro GM has directed MTPD to make public notification of any violent crime the same day where doing so will not hinder investigation #wmata

— Metro Transit Police (@MetroTransitPD) May 24, 2016

Lawmakers pressed Wiedefeld on why the transit agency did not inform the public about an April 12 incident in which a woman was allegedly raped at knifepoint at 10 a.m. on a Red Line train.

The incident was included in Metro’s monthly crime blotter, which came out weeks after the alleged attack.

Wiedefeld maintained that public notification wasn’t necessary because the suspect was apprehended on the same day as the attack, so there was no imminent threat. “It was solved in hours,” he said.

But lawmakers beat back against that assertion, saying it goes against Wiedefeld’s pledge to step up transparency at the agency and arguing that riders have the right to know such information.

“I appreciate it was solved immediately, but the public at large didn’t know about it,” said Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.). “Information is power for the customers.”