File photo.
With SEPTA Transit Police on strike, other law enforcement agencies are filling the void.
Officers from the regional police department went on strike Wednesday evening after talks between the transit agency and Fraternal Order of Transit Police Lodge 109 fell apart.
6abc reported the union felt the deal SEPTA offered was not acceptable and even worse than one rejected by the union members last week. SEPTA officers want better pay to match the work they do. The department is paid less than many other police agencies in the region, including Philadelphia.
"Officials said 178 SEPTA officers are part of the transit union and have been working without a contract since March. The original strike deadline was Nov. 20, but it was extended to Dec. 13,” according to 6abc.
SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said transit police supervisors, who remain on the job, will be working extra hours. He said city police, area university police, and officers from Bucks County and other counties where SEPTA provides service will be assisting.
The assisting departments will help with "patrol checks, response to calls for service, priority response, K-9, and special equipment support,” according to Busch.
The regional transit agency will also be putting additional private security guards at some locations.
SEPTA cops last went on strike in 2019.
