Denver transit police cut copper thefts by two-thirds

The Regional Transportation District spans 40 municipalities in the Denver area, covering a vast network of rail lines and bus routes. Within this system, a new law enforcement unit has reported a measurable change in property crime statistics over the past year.

The RTD Transit Police Detective Bureau opened in late 2025. Its formation allowed officers to pursue investigations across the entire district rather than limiting cases to specific jurisdictions. According to data released on Oct. 27, the agency recorded eight copper wire theft incidents through September 2026. This number is down from 25 incidents during the same period in 2025, representing a 68% reduction.

Commander Jonathan Holloway leads the bureau, which currently employs four detectives. He stated that the unit handles a wide range of cases, including thefts under $300, criminal mischief, menacing, harassment, and fraud. Holloway noted that these cases affect both customers and the physical infrastructure of the transit system.

The detective unit has also focused on the aftereffects of thefts. Officers have established partnerships with local scrap metal yards to identify stolen materials. These relationships aim to deter the sale of copper wire taken from rail lines. This year, four individuals were arrested for copper wire theft, a process supported by the focused investigative capabilities of the new bureau.

The unit operates without its own holding facility. When RTD Transit Police make an arrest, partner agencies in the local jurisdictions provide access to holding centers for detaining suspects. This reliance on external resources requires close coordination between RTD officers and local law enforcement departments.

Collaboration extended beyond RTD property in recent months. On Oct. 13, Transit Police officers, including a K-9 unit, assisted the Thornton Police Department in a multi-agency search. The joint effort resulted in the apprehension of a suspect. Holloway described these partnerships as essential for coordinating public safety efforts across regional agencies.

RTD updates its security metrics monthly to provide transparency to the public. The agency reports one security-related call for every 2,330 boardings on average. Additionally, reports of illicit drug activity have declined by more than 50% for most months in 2026, continuing a trend of improvement from 2025.

To support these efforts, RTD launched a mobile application called NextRide. The app allows customers to report unwanted activity to Transit Police, purchase digital fares, and plan trips. A victim’s advocate specialist within the bureau also assists operators and individuals in navigating the court process when suspects are prosecuted.