Public Transportation Crime's "Disturbing" Nature Highlighted by Cato Institute VP

Washington, D.C. – Alex Nowrasteh, Vice President for Economic and Social Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, recently voiced a strong opinion regarding the impact of crime, particularly on public transportation. In a social media post, Nowrasteh asserted that even a complete elimination of crime might have only a "slight effect, at best," on broader societal outcomes, potentially being "statistically insignificant." He specifically highlighted the unsettling nature of offenses occurring on public transit.

"The crime rate could be zero and there would only be a slight effect, at best. Maybe statistically insignificant. Crime on public transportation is quite disturbing because you're trapped in a tube or bus with the criminal. I'd love to be proven wrong about this," Nowrasteh stated in the tweet.

Nowrasteh, a prominent analyst known for his work on immigration policy and broader economic and social issues, holds a significant role at the libertarian think tank, having been promoted to Senior Vice President for Policy in October 2025. His academic background includes a BA in economics from George Mason University and an MS in economic history from the London School of Economics. While his primary expertise lies in immigration, his commentary extends to various policy discussions.

The sentiment expressed in his tweet touches upon a critical aspect of urban living and public safety perception. Public transportation systems, by their nature, involve close proximity and often limited escape routes, which can amplify feelings of vulnerability when crime occurs. This perception can significantly impact ridership and public trust in transit services, regardless of overall crime statistics.

Experts in urban planning and criminology often examine both objective crime data and subjective feelings of safety. While overall crime rates may fluctuate, incidents on public transit can have a disproportionate psychological impact due to the confined environment. Nowrasteh's call to be "proven wrong" suggests an openness to data-driven counterarguments regarding the societal significance of crime reduction.