ATLANTA — With the World Cup starting in a matter of days, MARTA’s enhanced security schedule is already in operation. This comes after a recent stabbing and a shooting at MARTA stations.
At the Midtown MARTA Station on Friday, police say Anthony Tyrone Gresham shot a 19-year-old on the train.
RELATED STORY: MARTA under federal investigation after recent stabbings
Authorities caught Gresham on Sunday in Douglas County, but it was the latest high-profile incident of violence for a department now under federal investigation.
In the first 5 months of 2026, MARTA has seen at least 30 cases of robberies, assaults or homicides - the worst five-month stretch the transit authority has faced since 2014.
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According to FTA data, when it comes to incidents on heavy rail, MARTA’s incident rate is 5.5 times higher than the national average.
However, MARTA is taking steps to address this.
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Already, 280 officers are working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. Its real-time crime center is monitoring 12,000 cameras.
While MARTA says it is taking steps, riders and union employees say they want to see the precautions become a model for the future.
Channel 2’s Michael Doudna spoke to riders over the last several days.
“There needs to be some sort of security, like what is brought on the trains and what is not,” one rider said. “I think what might be necessary is more legislation, so we can feel safer.”
David Ward, MARTA’s union president, said lack of funding and shortage of police force plays a role in the acts of violent crime.
“What’s at stake is MARTA’s reputation, MARTA’s funding, MARTA’s ability to uphold his business model, and that’s to move citizens safely through Atlanta and all the surrounding regions,” Ward said.
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For the World Cup, MARTA will operate their emergency operation centers starting on the 11th Street, along with additional overnight train patrols.