LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is reporting a nearly 29% reduction in passenger-on-operator assaults in fiscal year 2026, while providing more than 55.8 million passenger trips throughout Southern Nevada.
RTC contracted security officers have also helped save 19 lives since July after receiving overdose-response training earlier this year, according to the agency.
Fewer assaults, stronger protections
The results reflect RTC’s continued focus on protecting transit operators and passengers through investments in security personnel, technology, training and partnerships, the agency said.
The agency’s security program was recognized with the American Public Transportation Association’s 2025 Bus Security Gold Award. It includes approximately 300 armed security officers, enhanced safety technology and ongoing emergency preparedness efforts, according to RTC.
“The RTC Board has made safety and security a top priority, and these results show that RTC’s investments in trained officers, technology and strong partnerships are making a measurable difference,” said RTC Board Chair Justin Jones. “From reducing assaults to equipping officers to respond in a medical emergency, we are committed to protecting our operators, passengers and the broader community.”
In fiscal year 2026, passenger-on-operator assaults declined nearly 29%, from 28 incidents to 20. Verbal assaults, including threats, intimidation and harassment, dropped nearly 46%, from 166 incidents to 90, according to RTC.
RTC attributes the improvements in part to its expanded security presence, annual de-escalation training and additional enforcement tools authorized under Senate Bill 290, which allows for the removal of disruptive passengers from transit services, the agency said.
Security officers making a difference beyond the bus
RTC’s contracted security officers also assist people experiencing medical emergencies and other crises, according to the agency.
Through a partnership with the Southern Nevada Health District, security officers have been trained and equipped to administer Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Since July 2026, officers have helped save 19 lives by responding to suspected overdoses, RTC said.
At its Oct. 8 board meeting, RTC recognized six security officers with its Crystal Bus Award for their lifesaving responses: Mark Angel, Caleb Caldwell, Mercedes Jenkins, Bobby Leyva, Idris Adewole and Keana Marshall.
“These 19 critical responses demonstrate what is possible when public agencies work together with compassion and purpose,” said RTC Board member and Las Vegas City Councilman Brian Knudsen. “By giving security officers the training and tools to recognize and respond to an overdose, we are helping make our transit system-and our community-safer and stronger.”
Continued investment in technology and partnerships
RTC continues to strengthen its security program through new technology and collaboration with local and federal agencies, according to the agency.
A more than $700,000 Transit Security Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is supporting a pilot program to evaluate advanced AI-enabled detection capabilities, RTC said.
Additional safety tools include GPS-enabled panic buttons for operators, ZeroEyes weapons detection technology at transit facilities and the rideRTC See & Say platform, which allows passengers to report safety concerns directly to RTC Security Dispatch in real time, according to the agency.
RTC also works closely with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and other law enforcement agencies to support investigations. In fiscal year 2026, RTC and its security contractor assisted law enforcement in more than 400 investigations, RTC said.
At the federal level, RTC partners with the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to strengthen emergency preparedness. RTC earned a 99.8% score on TSA’s Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement, which evaluates transit security practices and preparedness, according to the agency.
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