SEPTA police are offering a $ 1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of four suspects in an attack on a SEPTA official last week.
Video transcription
– An attack on a SEPTA employee in Center City, Philadelphia, has sparked outrage on the part of the Transport Workers Union and calls for the resignation of the SEPTA police chief. I was sent to headquarters as an action news reporter George Solis this evening. George, statistics seem to show that working for SEPTA became more dangerous in 2021.
GEORGE SOLIS: That’s right, Jim, and the boss even acknowledged that things haven’t started well so far this year. That said, he defended his government and says he has no plans to resign. We want to alert viewers at home that some of the videos you are about to watch may be explicit.
Images released on Thursday by the Transport Workers Union, which represents SEPTA transit workers, captured the harrowing moments when one of them is surrounded by teenagers in an unprovoked attack at 15 Street Station in Center City. SEPTA officials said the blatant attack occurred around 11:30 pm on March 15. The unidentified employee was said to be recovering at home with several injured.
WILLIE BROWN: He almost lost consciousness and is badly hurt, but he came along.
CHIEF THOMAS NESTEL: This behavior is completely unacceptable, we do not want our employees or any of our passengers to suffer from this type of behavior.
GEORGE SOLIS: SEPTA’s chief of traffic police, Thomas Nestel, gave a press conference after the video was released and the union asked to resign amid allegations that the police are not doing enough of the policy on transparency to protect employees and passengers.
WILLIE BROWN: SEPTA does not want to report this because it may have a black eye. I think they are trying to keep it a secret.
GEORGE SOLIS: While SEPTA data provided to Action News shows a general decrease in reported incidents against employees and things like harassment and physical assault between 2019 and 2020, Chief Nestel noted that things so far in 2021 are less stable. The pandemic is creating several problems, especially in the field of mental health. He said another challenge, to prosecute offenders.
CHIEF THOMAS NESTEL: We need help from the mental health system. We need help from the justice system.
GEORGE SOLIS: The Workers’ Union is not the only group now calling for a change of leadership.
TROY PARHAM: He is about 22 years old and this is the lowest level I have ever seen.
GEORGE SOLIS: The Fraternal Order of the traffic police also asked for the chief’s resignation.
TROY PARHAM: Now it’s reaching its peak and I think it’s just … it’s time.
GEORGE SOLIS: And again, the boss says he has no plans to resign. He also defended the number of leaders he currently has, which is also questioned by the union. He said he plans to add security officers – about 60 of them – at some of SEPTA’s busiest terminals. Your life in Center City tonight, George Solis, channel six Action News. Jim.
– Thank you George.