A proposed bill aimed at enhancing the safety of public transit employees in Arkansas took center stage during a recent Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. House Bill 1839 seeks to establish aggravated assault as a specific offense against transit workers, addressing a troubling rise in assaults reported by transit agencies across the state.

Joel Gardner, executive director of Ozark Regional Transit, highlighted the urgent need for this legislation, citing a significant increase in incidents targeting transit employees. "We see a perpetual increase in assault against transit officials," Gardner stated, emphasizing that current behavior protocols lack the enforcement power necessary to hold offenders accountable.

The bill has garnered support from various transit leaders, including Adam Waddell from Razorback Transit and Ken Savage from Fort Smith Transit. They collectively urged the committee to advance the bill, arguing that it would provide essential tools to protect employees and deter potential assaults. Savage noted that while most transit trips are incident-free, even a few negative occurrences can jeopardize the safety of both employees and passengers.

The proposed legislation aims to not only penalize aggressive behavior but also to serve as a deterrent by posting signs in transit vehicles outlining the consequences of such actions. The committee is expected to consider the bill further, with advocates ready to provide additional statistics and testimonies to support its passage.