Major crime on the T at 30-year low

The MBTA today released stats showing major crimes - such as assaults and robberies - decreased 21% from 2008 to 2009, and that the T has not been so safe since 1980.

Across the T system, there were 827 "Part 1" crimes in 2009, compared to 3,304 in 1980, the T says.

MBTA Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan said the drop was particularly pronounced in thefts, down 26%, which he credited to a public awareness campaign (is there any T rider who does not know Paul MacMillan is chieff of the MBTA Transit Police?). Also down: indecent assaults, for which the T has another public awareness campaign.

MacMillan added that citations for fare evasion are up, from 1,267 in 2008 to 2,864 in 2009.

Crime stats by station.