[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27677]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 8, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
[Docket No. 94-D]

 

Notice of Request for Comments on the Inclusion of Security Data 
Reporting in the National Transit Database

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) proposes to revise 
its safety reporting form to include security information as part of 
its annual National Transit Database (Section 15) reporting system.
    Among other things, the Omnibus Anti-Crime legislation (Pub. L. 
103-322) signed by President Clinton on September 13, 1994, reinforces 
the need to fight crime and to increase security in existing and future 
transportation systems. Moreover, FTA's Strategic Plan includes a 
strategy to ``Maximize Security and Safety of Transit Systems for 
Service Users''. The first goal under this strategy is to improve 
personal security.
    This Notice thus solicits comments from transit agencies on the 
proposed initiation of reporting of security data in the National 
Transit Database (Section 15) for the 1995 Report Year, including the 
existing availability of the data, costs involved, and the relationship 
of the proposed reporting requirements to other crime reporting 
systems, for example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform 
Crime Reporting System (UCR), etc.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 8, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Docket Number 94-D, Room 9316, 
Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Transit Administration, 400 Seventh 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Fleischman, Director, Office of 
Capital and Formula Assistance (202) 366-1662 or Marvin Futrell, Chief, 
Audit Review and Analysis Division, (202) 366-6471.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The National Transit Database (Section 15) Transit Safety Form 
(405) for Report Year 1995 is proposed to be expanded. The FTA seeks to 
collect security information as part of its annual National Transit 
Database reporting system, the Uniform System of Accounts and Records 
and Reporting System. Among other things, the Omnibus Anti-Crime 
legislation (Pub. L. 103-322), signed by President Clinton on September 
13, 1994, reinforces the need to fight crime and to increase security 
in existing and future transportation systems.
    Moreover, FTA's Strategic Plan includes a strategy to ``Maximize 
Security and Safety of Transit Systems for Service Users''. The first 
goal under this strategy is to improve personal security.
    FTA's regulation regarding the Uniform System of Accounts and 
Records and Reporting System is at 49 CFR part 630. In particular, 49 
CFR part 630(c) provides that the Reporting System is subject to 
periodic revision, and that a Notice of certain changes or revisions 
will be published in the Federal Register.
    Accordingly, set forth below is a summary of the new data and draft 
of the proposed reporting form the FTA proposes to include in the 
information that must be sent to FTA as part of the Section 15 annual 
report. This information will be mailed to grantees early in 1995, and 
may include changes in response to comments to this Notice. FTA 
particularly seeks comments on the scope of the draft form and the 
adequacy of the information being sought. Comments are sought on how 
much the data should be stratified and whether there should be 
thresholds for reporting based on a transit system's size.

B. Description of New Security Elements for Section 15 Reporting

    The Security data are proposed to be expanded to include security 
data reported by location, i.e., In Vehicle, In Station and In Other 
Transit Property; and by type of offense, i.e., Arson, Assault, 
Burglary, Homicide, Larceny/Theft, Motor Vehicle Theft, Robbery, Sex 
Offenses/Forcible, Vandalism, Loitering/Vagrancy, Disorderly Conduct, 
Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Drunkenness, Trespass, and Fare 
Evasion. The data would be reported by incidents, fatalities and 
injuries for each directly operated or purchased transportation mode 
and also by both patron and non-patron.
    The proposed form is as follows:

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TN08NO94.016


TN08NO94.017

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    Definitions relating to location of an incident would be as 
follows:
    In Vehicle--An incident occurring within a transit agency revenue 
vehicle.
    In Station--An incident occurring at a transit station or stop.
    Other Transit Property--An incident occurring at facilities which 
are directly controlled by a transit agency (agency is responsible for 
cleaning or maintaining) or provided to a transit agency for its use by 
another public or private entity (formal/informal agreement with the 
owner wherein services or facilities are provided to benefit the 
transit agency) other than stations and vehicles.
    Definitions relating to type of incident would be as follows:
    Incident--Security related occurrence involving fatalities, 
injuries or property damage.
    Fatality--A death confirmed within 30 days directly related to a 
security incident.
    Injury--Any physical damage or harm to a person which results in 
the need for medical treatment related to a security incident.
    Definitions relating to type of offense would be as follows:
    Group A--Offenses perpetrated against other individuals or 
property.
    Arson--To unlawfully and intentionally damage, or attempt to 
damage, any real or personal property by fire or incendiary device.
    Assault--An unlawful attack by one person upon another.
    Burglary--The unlawful entry into a building or other structure 
with the intent to commit a felony or a theft.
    Homicide--The killing of one or more human being(s) by another.
    Larceny/Theft--The unlawful taking, carrying, leading or riding 
away of property from the possession, or constructive possession, of 
another person.
    Motor Vehicle Theft--The theft of a motor vehicle. Note: A ``motor 
vehicle'' is a self-propelled vehicle that runs on the surface of land 
and not on rails, and which fits one of the following property 
descriptions: automobiles, buses, recreational vehicles, trucks, or 
other.
    Robbery--The taking, or attempting to take, anything of value under 
confrontational circumstances from the control, custody, or care of 
another person by force or threat of force or violence and/or by 
putting the victim in fear of immediate harm.
    Sex Offenses, Forcible--Any sexual act directed against another 
person, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or, not forcibly or 
against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving 
consent.
    Vandalism--To willfully or maliciously destroy, damage, deface, or 
otherwise injure real or personal property without the consent of the 
owner or person having custody or control of it.
    Group B--Offenses not involving other individuals or property.
    Loitering/Vagrancy--The violation of a court order, regulation, 
ordinance or law requiring the withdrawal of persons from the streets 
or other specified areas; prohibiting persons from remaining in an area 
or place in an idle or aimless manner; or prohibiting persons from 
going from place to place without visible means of support. Note: This 
offense includes ``Begging'' and ``Vagabondage''. Persons prosecuted on 
charges of being a ``Suspicious Character'', ``Suspicious Person'', 
etc., are also to be included.
    Disorderly Conduct--Any behavior that tends to disturb the public 
peace or decorum, scandalize the community, or shock the public sense 
or morality.
    Driving Under the Influence (DUI)--Driving or operating a motor 
vehicle or common carrier while mentally or physically impaired as the 
result of consuming an alcoholic beverage or using a drug or narcotic.
    Drunkenness--To drink alcoholic beverages to the extent that one's 
mental faculties and physical coordination are substantially impaired. 
Note: This offense includes ``Drunk and Disorderly'', ``Common 
Drunkard'', ``Habitual Drunkard'', and ``Intoxication''.
    Trespass--To unlawfully enter land, a dwelling, or other real 
property.
    Fare Evasion--The unlawful use of transit facilities by riding 
without paying the applicable fare.

    Issued on: November 3, 1994.
Gordon J. Linton,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-27677 Filed 11-7-94; 8:45 am]
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