Metro - File #: 2024-1165

• File #: 2024-1165
• Type: Informational Report
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 12/30/2024
• In control: Operations, Safety, and Customer Experience Committee
• On agenda: 2/20/2025
• Title: RECEIVE AND FILE the Public Safety Report.
• Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• Indexes: 7th Street/Metro Center Station, Barriers (Roads), City of Los Angeles, Cleaning, Cleanliness (Graffiti Abatement), Contractors, Contracts, De-escalation, Graffiti, Grand Ave Arts/Bunker Hill Station, Hubs, Informational Report, LATTC/Ortho Institute Station, Law enforcement, Law enforcement personnel, Long Beach Police Department, Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, Los Angeles Union Station, Maintenance, Metro Busway G Line, Metro Busway J Line, Metro Rail A Line, Metro Rail B Line, Metro Rail D Line, Metro Rail E Line, Metro Transit Ambassadors, Plan, Police, Property crimes, Public Safety Advisory Committee, Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project, Retrofitting, Ridership, Safety, Safety and security, Security, System safety, Theft, Transit buses, Transit centers, Transit safety, Transit System, Uniform Crime Reporting, Violent crimes, Weapons

Meeting_Body

OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

Subject

SUBJECT:                     MONTHLY UPDATE ON PUBLIC SAFETY

Action

ACTION:                     RECEIVE AND FILE

Heading

RECOMMENDATION

Title

RECEIVE AND FILE the Public Safety Report.

Issue
ISSUE

Metro is committed to providing outstanding trip experiences for all transportation system users. In furtherance of the Vision 2028 Plan, Metro implemented a multi-faceted plan to improve safety and safety perceptions for riders and employees. The following summarizes current initiatives to accomplish this objective and recent public safety trends.

Background

BACKGROUND

Within Metro’s Public Safety Mission statement, the agency recognizes that each individual is entitled to a safe, dignified, and humane experience. In March 2023, the Board adopted a revised Code of Conduct, a Bias-Free Policing Policy, and a Public Safety Analytics Policy to avert racial profiling and bias in the deployment of Metro security and law enforcement services. Furthermore, since July 2023, Metro has been using a comprehensive deployment model to utilize all resources from the public safety ecosystem.

These actions align with numerous initiatives to improve safety and the perception of safety on the system, including the increased, strategic, and layered deployment of personnel (comprised of customer-centered ambassadors and community intervention specialists, as well as homeless outreach staff, transit security, private security, and law enforcement officers) and the piloting of safety and security interventions to address specific concerns (e.g., drug use and crime) on the system.

Discussion
DISCUSSION

System Security & Law Enforcement (SSLE) is responsible for overseeing safety initiatives on the Metro system, working in coordination with other departments, including Operations and Customer Experience. SSLE forms the foundation of Metro’s comprehensive approach to safety and security, focused specifically on protecting our customers and employees by preventing and addressing crime on our system, enforcing Metro’s Code of Conduct, ensuring the safety of our facilities, directing the deployment of law enforcement and private security presence throughout the system, and proactively identifying and addressing areas of possible concern.

The following is a snapshot of activities, performance, and outcome-related data for December, the most recent month for which systemwide law enforcement data is available.

OVERVIEW

2024 Trends

In 2024, several public safety initiatives were introduced, including the Public Safety Surge, TAP-to-Exit, and weapons detection pilots, which contributed to creating a safer rider experience by targeting trespassing and narcotics and lowering incidents of violent crime.

Crimes Against Persons (violent crimes, which include aggravated assaults, batteries, and robberies) experienced a decrease in the total number of incidents and per one million boardings of 7.96% and 15.5%, respectively. The Surge, in particular, has flattened the seasonal spikes of violent crime and improved public perceptions of safety through the deployment of visible foot patrols and addressing chronic trespassing and narcotics use on the system.

Crimes Against Property, on the other hand, started lower in 2024 than in 2023 but increased due to thefts in the fall months before decreasing again in December, resulting in a slight increase for all of 2024.

As seen in the chart below, these initiatives, especially the Surge, significantly increased arrests for Crimes Against Society, mainly related to trespassing.

December 2024 Trends

The following trends were observed for December 2024 compared to November 2024:

•                     Crimes Against Persons decreased by 10.3% (148 vs.165).

•                     Crimes Against Property decreased by 28.9% (59 vs. 83).

•                     Crimes Against Society increased by 40.1% (325 vs. 232).

•                     Operator assaults decreased 50% (5 vs. 10).

SPECIAL INITIATIVES

Station Experience Updates

As part of Metro’s commitment to safety and its continued efforts to ensure the system is used for its intended purpose, the agency partners with city officials and community groups, including neighborhood councils and local businesses, to find bespoke solutions to address the differing challenges at various stations. Attachment A briefly describes the most recent initiatives Metro’s Station Experience team has implemented, including:

•                     Improvements for TAP-to-Exit and passenger circulation at Union Station

•                     Safety improvements began at Pershing Square outdoor plaza

Public Facing Dashboard Update

SSLE has been working with the Customer Experience Department and their design and marketing vendor to develop a Safety Hub as an entry point for viewing SSLE data. The Safety Hub will provide users with a seamless experience on metro.net, information regarding Metro’s safety and security initiatives, and highlight certain data points from the Dashboard to provide context before users reach the Dashboard itself. As a part of internal reviews that ensured the Dashboard and the Safety Hub align with each other, the Dashboard is also getting certain modifications related to usability and accessibility. It is anticipated that Safety Hub development and testing, along with related Dashboard changes, will take one month to complete, followed by CEO and PSAC reviews.

Public Safety Surge Update

In May 2024, the Board directed staff to increase the number of public safety personnel deployed and physically present on buses, trains, and at stations (Motion 31; Attachment B).

In December 2024:

•                     Law enforcement personnel reported 107 crimes and made 670 arrests.

•                     Reported trespassing crimes continued to decline, decreasing an additional 12% in December compared to November (44 vs. 50). 

•                     There was a 26% increase in arrests in December compared to November (670 vs. 531).

•                     December saw a 38% increase in arrests involving a Release from Custody (RFC) compared to November.

•                     Reports of crimes related to Narcotics declined 24% during this period (54 to 41).

Overall Impact of the Surge

The first few months of 2024 were marked by relatively low levels of Crimes Against Persons and Crimes Against Property, but in late spring, there were several serious violent incidents. With the Public Safety Surge, Metro flattened seasonal spikes of violent crime and addressed chronic trespassing and narcotics use on the system.

Compared to 2024, overall crime declined in both the pre-surge (January-May 2024) and surge (June-December 2024) periods. A comparison of the Surge months in 2024 to the same period in 2023 indicates a reduction of nearly 11% in overall crime for rail. This was largely due to a reduction in Crimes Against Persons, which fell 15% during this period (704 vs. 596). In contrast, while the number of Crimes Against Persons remained relatively steady on the bus system during this time (451 vs. 477), there was a 51% increase in Crimes Against Property (191 vs. 126).

For rail, the most significant contributors to these reductions were fewer aggravated assaults (144 vs. 185) and robberies (109 vs. 138), both of which increased on the bus system. It should be noted that aside from comparison for these surge months (June-December 2023 to the surge June-December 2024), a similar trend was noted across years when comparing non-surge months (January-May 2023 to January-May 2024) as well. However, as summer typically brings higher crime rates in general, the surge appears to have assisted in accelerating a trend toward reduction. Refer to Attachment C.

SYSTEMWIDE CRIME STATS

December 2024 vs. November 2024

•                     Crimes Against Persons decreased by 10.3% in December 2024 compared to November 2024 (148 vs.165).

o                     On the rail system, Crimes Against Persons decreased by 31.5% (74 vs. 108) due to decreases in aggravated assaults (21 vs. 25), batteries (37 vs. 58), and robberies (12 vs. 22).

o                     On the bus system, Crimes Against Persons increased by 29.8% (74 vs. 57), mainly due to increases in aggravated assaults (21 vs 16) and batteries (37 vs. 29).

•                     Crimes Against Property systemwide decreased by 28.9% when comparing December 2024 to November 2024 (59 vs. 83). 

o                     On the rail system, these crimes decreased by 25.9% (40 vs. 54) because of decreased thefts (33 vs. 47).

o                     On the bus system, these incidents decreased by 34.5% (19 vs. 29), also due to fewer thefts (6 vs. 16).

•                     Crimes Against Society increased by 40.1% in December compared to November (325 vs. 232). 

o                     On the rail system, Crimes Against Society increased by 41.5% (283 vs. 200) due to increases in narcotics (139 vs. 123), trespassing (114 vs. 61), and weapons (30 vs. 16).

o                     On the bus system, Crimes Against Society increased by 31.3% (42 vs 32) due to increases in narcotics (33 vs 26) and trespassing (4 vs. 1).

Despite the increase in Crimes Against Society in December compared to November, the monthly average of Crimes Against Society in the last three months of the year was lower than the monthly average for all of 2024 (332 vs. 507). This decrease can be attributed to LAPD and LASD refocusing their campaigns to uncover individuals with narcotics or weapons in the transit system. Also, improvements in fare compliance have reduced the number of people in the system who do not possess a TAP card, reducing the number of individuals arrested/cited for trespassing. More information can be found in Attachments D, E, F, and G.

December 2024 vs. Monthly Average for 2024

•                     Crimes Against Persons were 13.6% lower than the monthly average for 2024 (148 vs. 171).

•                     Crimes Against Property were 13.6% lower than the monthly average for 2024 (59 vs 68).

•                     Crimes Against Society were 35.8% lower than the monthly average for 2024 (325 vs 507).

Monthly Average in 2024 vs. 2023

•                     Crimes Against Persons in 2024 decreased by 8.0% compared to 2023 (171 vs. 186).

o                     When the number of boardings is considered, Crimes Against Persons in 2024 have decreased by 15.5% compared to 2023 (6.62 vs. 7.83 Crimes Against Persons per one million boardings).

o                     Decreases in 2024 were seen in aggravated assaults (503 vs. 536), batteries (1,100 vs. 1,171), robberies (328 vs. 394), and sex offenses (107 vs. 115).

The following charts compare Crimes Against Persons, Property, and Society per one million boardings in 2023 and 2024.

While ridership increased in 2024 compared to 2023, Crimes Against Persons (violent crimes, which include aggravated assaults, batteries, and robberies) decreased, both in total number of incidents and per one million boardings.

Crimes Against Property started the year lower in 2024 than in 2023. As the months passed, thefts increased, mainly in September, October, and November. Then, there was a sharp decline in thefts in December, lowering the rate per one million boardings.

Due to the Public Safety Surge and TAP-to-Exit program, which began in late May 2024, reports of Crimes Against Society per one million boardings saw a significant increase in June. They continued into September due to increased trespassing, narcotics, and weapons arrests during this period; however, after law enforcement shifted their efforts to focus more on individuals with narcotics and weapons in the transit system, trespassing arrests decreased, which drove down reports of Crimes Against Society through the end of 2024. Enforcement initiatives, such as TAP-to-Exit, were effective in playing a role in this decrease as well.

FRONTLINE SAFETY

As the chart below shows, assaults on Metro employees and contractors decreased in December. This follows the trend that staff first saw in September, when the assaults on Metro employees dropped by 52% over the previous month (29 vs. 60). From September to December, assaults on Metro employees and contractors averaged 24 assaults per month, much lower than the monthly average during the first eight months of the year when we saw 42 assaults per month. Lower levels of assaults on bus operators are likely the result of installing operator safety barriers (see next section). While there are no clear trends in other categories, staff will continue to track these assaults to determine possible reasons behind the fluctuating numbers.

Operator Safety

Metro’s law enforcement partners reported five operator assaults in December, a 50% decrease from November. This is the lowest number of operator assaults since January 2021.

Brandishing a knife, using pepper spray, and using hands (punching, slapping) were the methods of assaults on operators in December. Of the five assaults reported, four reported a non-retrofitted bus barrier in use, and one assault occurred outside of the barrier. Of the reported assaults, no victims required medical transport, although one victim was treated on scene and requested to see the company doctor. 

The use of barriers continues to play a critical role in protecting operators from assaults. Using the most recent data, staff found that the odds of a physical assault on a bus operator are 4.24 times higher on a bus without an expanded barrier compared to a bus with the barrier.

Figures A and B provide context on operator assaults in December compared to prior

months and years. Figures C and D illustrate the methods and reasons for assaults, respectively. Details of the assaults can be found in Attachment H.

Figure A: Bus/Rail Operator Assaults Six-Month Comparison

Figure B: Bus/Rail Operator Assaults Year-to-Year Comparison

Figure C: Methods of Assaults on Operators

Figure D: Reasons for Assaults on Operators

When analyzing the total operator assaults in 2024 and 2023 in relation to ridership, the results show that assaults on operators per one million boardings decreased by 18.5% in 2024 vs. 2023. This decrease can be attributed to the installation of new retrofitted bus barriers on buses and to the Bus Riding Teams data-centric deployment model.

Other Frontline Staff Safety

There were 16 assaults on frontline staff, excluding bus and rail operators, in December. The methods of assault on these frontline staff vary from suspects using their hands to shoving or punching staff to spitting, throwing objects, and brandishing a weapon. Assaults on security officers tend to involve physical altercations because they usually approach individuals, asking them to change their behavior to adhere to the Code of Conduct, which often results in a confrontational or resistive reaction from the suspect. LAPD provided enhanced training to include officer safety, de-escalation, arrest laws, and customer service. In addition, Contract Security increased its training program to align with its new responsibilities and reduce officer assaults. For other frontline staff like Ambassadors, Blue Shirts, and Custodians, assaults tend to be unpredictable and involve random displays of aggression such as spitting, verbal threats, or throwing objects and liquid. However, they may also be physically assaulted. All frontline staff complete de-escalation training to better handle situations with uncooperating or aggressive individuals. Methods of assaults and reasons for assaults are illustrated in Figures E and F, respectively.

Figure E: Methods of Assaults on Other Frontline Staff

Figure F: Reasons for Assaults on Other Frontline Staff

Bus Safety Teams

Transit Security Bus Safety Teams rotate across the top ten bus lines with reported incidents of operator assaults and bus lines with newly reported incidents of operator assaults and other significant security incidents to enforce Metro’s Code of Conduct.

In December, end-of-line operations were conducted during Owl Service at the J Line at El Monte Station to address bus operator concerns about individuals refusing to alight buses at the end of the line. These operations resulted in 228 removals for non-compliance between December 2 and December 31.

The MTS teams are augmented with law enforcement support. In December, there were 2,098 and 9,229 bus boardings by LAPD officers and LASD deputies, respectively.

In addition to Code of Conduct enforcement, Transit Security Officers (TSOs) provide riders with safety tips, such as being aware of their surroundings while using their mobile phones and informing them of the Transit Watch application to report incidents. Several TSOs are bilingual and can assist customers in Spanish, Korean, and Thai, among other languages. TSOs also engage with bus operators to obtain information regarding safety issues or areas of concern that the Bus Safety Teams can address. Additionally, when possible, TSOs provide operators with verbal tips related to safety and de-escalation tactics to ensure they can respond appropriately to incidents that may threaten their safety.

DEPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES

The following are Metro’s public safety personnel's deployment activities for December, which are intended to prevent and reduce crime in the system.

Time Spent on Bus vs. Rail Rides

As part of Metro’s comprehensive public safety model, various safety personnel, including law enforcement, contract security, and Transit Security, ride bus and rail vehicles throughout the system to provide a uniformed presence. The tables below show how much time each personnel category spends on buses compared to trains. Data is available through December 2024.

On rail, safety personnel have had a significant and continual presence since rail safety teams were rolled out in December 2023. For example, in September, 89% of Metro trains in operation (31,262 hours out of 35,246 train hours) had at least one riding team in one of the cars at any given time, except for service interruptions or scheduling overlaps between different deployment types.

Coverage is comparatively less on the bus side due to the larger number of buses in service relative to trains and fewer deployments. For example, in September, 7% of Metro buses in operation (6,777 hours out of 101,711 bus hours) had at least one riding team in one of the buses at any given time, except for service interruptions or scheduling overlaps between different deployment types. Staff will continue to collect bus and rail team riding data and look for opportunities to improve coverage.

Note: Different safety personnel may use different methodologies for operating their deployments and counting their time on board the system. Contract Security spends most of their patrol time riding on the rail system from end to end. On the other hand, MTS teams only board for short periods of time, and they may use automobiles to drive to their assigned deployment points and then do partial rides.

Law Enforcement

LAPD, LASD, and LBPD enforce the penal code on the system, including conducting trespass investigations. The table below represents the law enforcement efforts to enforce the penal code on the system for December.

In December, the three law enforcement agencies made 740 arrests and issued 1,229 citations. Law enforcement citations and warnings are not related to fare but are given for trespassing, loitering, and moving violations. Details on the demographics of individuals arrested can be found in Attachment I. 

Potential Shift in Unwanted Activity from Rail to Bus

Beginning in February 2023, additional resources were deployed to address crime on the rail system, which has successfully decreased violent crime on rail. Given these trends, staff investigated whether the adjusted law enforcement deployments over the past two years reduced crime systemwide or whether the deployments also had a displacement effect that impacted the locations of criminal activity. The conclusion is that both have occurred. In the past two years, Crimes Against Persons and Crimes Against Property have declined on rail while increasing on buses. Simultaneously, however, overall crime did go down when normalized for ridership. See Attachment J for additional details on the analysis.

Lessons Learned

By almost any measure, the decrease in crime on Metro’s rail system, bringing it more in line with where it is on buses, is good news that can allow staff to diversify deployment strategies. Given the recent decline in trespassing activity on the rail system, SSLE has been working with our law enforcement partners to reestablish or expand bus riding coverage where relevant to decrease crime on buses in the coming months.

End of Line

Contract Security (CS) officers offload trains at 11 end-of-line (EOL) rail stations. This operation functions to deter patrons from riding the system without valid fare while allowing train cleaning to promote a clean and safe environment. Offloading operations also simultaneously provide security support for Metro employees performing their duties. The table below shows December’s offloading efforts compared to the previous month.

CS observations and experiences have been positive, as the operation has reduced disorderly behavior and improved customer experience. Riders who remain on the trains and require CS interaction are now more willing to adhere to alighting the train and the re-tapping protocols. Enforcing the Customer Code of Conduct sends a message to repeat offenders, deterring them from remaining on trains arriving at the EOL.

Transit Security

The primary role of Metro Transit Security in the Comprehensive Planned Deployment is Code of Conduct enforcement. In December, MTS officers issued 53 citations and 55 written warnings for Code of Conduct violations. Of those, 106 (98%) were due to individuals failing to provide proof of fare.

The table below shows a breakdown of the remaining citations and warnings. The numbers reflect MTS's continued efforts to deter those attempting to access the system for non-transit purposes in violation of the Code of Conduct. There is a significant decline in citations this month due to “free fare” days for holidays and several special events (e.g., Rose Parade) that required redeployment of fare compliance personnel.

Transit Security Fare Compliance Teams are assigned to conduct fare compliance at station turnstiles, mezzanines, and platforms. The table below provides a recap of December’s monthly activity.

Transit Security Train Safety Teams provide a uniformed presence and enforce fare and Metro’s Code of Conduct aboard trains. The table below provides a recap of December’s monthly activity.

Metro Ambassadors

Metro Ambassadors provide support to riders, connecting riders to resources and reporting safety incidents or maintenance needs, thereby helping to improve the perception of safety. Metro Ambassadors were deployed on all rail lines, G Line, J Line, and bus lines 210, 40, and 720.

In addition, they were called upon to provide crowd control and wayfinding support for special events such as the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the ongoing NFL Games.

In early December 2024, Ambassadors were redeployed to bus lines 232 and 117 in the LAX Airport area to help notify riders of the December service changes. Customers were happy to have people tell them about upcoming changes in person.

Finally, in late December 2024, Ambassadors began conducting daily emergency telephone phone checks, reporting functionality issues to the ROC/BOC directly, followed by a Transit Watch App report. This will ensure that operations can repair any emergency telephone much more quickly.

For December 2024, Metro Ambassadors conducted 46,578 customer engagements and reported the following:

•                     3146 Cleanliness Issues (24.69% increase from November 2024)

•                     2148 Graffiti Incidents (4.93 % increase from November 2024)

•                     401 Elevator and Escalator Problems (10.16% increase from November 2024)

•                     Five lives were saved through the timely administration of Narcan, which was the same number in November 2024.

Narcan Deployment

MTS, LAPD, LASD, Contract Security, and Metro Ambassadors are equipped with Narcan and administer it as needed to individuals experiencing symptoms of an overdose. LBPD is not required to carry Narcan, per its agency’s policies.

In December, there were a total of 19 Narcan incidents. Ambassadors reported five incidents, Contract Security reported four, and LAPD reported seven. MTS reported no incidents.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

On December 3, Emergency Management (EM) participated in the Los Angeles/Long Beach Nuclear Detonation Response tabletop exercise. The Metro representative served as the transportation subject matter expert and shared information on Metro’s current emergency planning and operating procedures for requesting emergency evacuation support. The exercise focused on a terrorist attack that utilized a nuclear bomb to impact the region.

On December 6 and 13, EM facilitated Bomb/K-9 training for LAPD at Rail Division 21 for their annual certification. These two trainings hosted over 25 officers and K-9 teams to increase their familiarization with and improve their response to incidents on Metro’s rail system.

CUSTOMER COMMENTS

Using various sources, including Metro’s social media accounts, the Transit Watch app, and the Call Center, staff assessed the public sentiment of the Metro system. SSLE’s Data Analytics team monitors general sentiment while specific and actionable security concerns brought up by customers are reported on weekly calls with security and maintenance for awareness and strategy development. Moreover, any customer comment referencing criminal activity is forwarded to law enforcement for a follow-up with the customer to investigate the incident and file a crime report.

The number of security-related reports submitted to Metro decreased month-over-month from November to December, from 3,857 to 3,686. The Security Operations Center’s Security Control Specialists (SCS) continue to meet the FY25 SSLE target response time of 120 seconds, with a response time of 72 seconds in December. By comparison, in FY24, the average response time was 99 seconds, also falling within the fiscal year’s target. This target response time ensures a faster process for determining the proper response and dispatch of resources, improving calls for service response times on the system.

Overall Sentiment and Engagement

In December, the average sentiment about safety and security was more negative than the previous month. Most of the negative engagement occurred on Transit Watch and Reddit, with drugs and homelessness as the most-mentioned subtopics.

However, the visible security presence on the system contributed the most to positive sentiment about security personnel, especially on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit. For example, a rider posted on Reddit that while riding on Bus Line 2 at 2:30 a.m., they saw two Metro Transit Security Officers riding on the bus - one standing next to the bus operator and one standing in the rear of the bus. The rider felt safe and asked why Metro police do not ride the bus at all times.

Another customer noted the visible presence of security patrolling the Union Station parking lot and CCTV coverage there, stating that this station appears to be one of the safer stations to park. One rider posted on Reddit that the Regional Connector stations (i.e., Little Tokyo/Arts District, Historic Broadway, and Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill) are the safest because they are “clean and constantly policed.” This rider also stated they “imagine LAX/Metro Transit Center Station will be even better” regarding security presence. Another rider thanked Metro Transit Security Officers on X for temporarily stopping the trains “to check for TAP cards.”

Similar to previous months, Metro’s facilities and infrastructure garnered the most mentions, at 8,752 mentions, a 12.45% increase compared to November (7,783 mentions).

When discussing safety and security at specific Metro stations:

•                     Union Station generated the most mentions this month; however, there were two fewer mentions in December than in November.

•                     Soto Station generated the second-most overall engagement, followed by

•                     Crenshaw Station, while also experiencing the most significant mentions this month (increasing 47% and 110%, respectively).

Most mentions about safety and security at these stations were related to concerns impacting perceptions of safety, including:

•                     broken lights,

•                     graffiti,

•                     cleanliness, and

•                     passenger conduct.

These observations are shared with the relevant teams at Metro and at cross-departmental weekly meetings so they can be addressed.

Most Common Customer Concerns

The most common comments received about personal conduct are riders complaining about:

•                     individuals smoking on the train,

•                     drinking alcoholic beverages, and

•                     playing loud music.

The top three locations reporting Smoking/Alcohol/Drugs in December were 7^th Street/Metro Center Station, Reseda Station, and Union Station.

Reports of fights or disturbances are the second most common. In December, the top three locations reporting fight or disturbance incidents were 7^th Street/Metro Center Station, Manchester Station, and 37^th St/USC Station. 

SSLE Metro Transit Security and Contract Security train riding teams continue enforcing and providing education on the Metro Code of Conduct. Stations consistently reported with the most issues are noted and shared with public safety personnel so deployments can be adjusted to focus on those locations.

Property crime reports related to graffiti remained the most reported incident type, making up most of the incidents, at 71% in December. This is mainly due to the large number of graffiti reports submitted by the Ambassadors and Contract Security through the Transit Watch app. In December, the top three locations for graffiti incidents were LATTC/Ortho Institute Station, Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station, and Chinatown Station.

Rider reports highlighted increased property crime and cleanliness issues along the A, B, C, and E lines. These observations resulted in increased patrols at stations with the highest observations. SSLE also utilized the weekly meetings between members of the Comprehensive Planned Deployment to discuss observed increases in security incidents, which included theft. Staff will continue to explore best practices such as messaging and awareness campaigns, education, and video analytics to address graffiti, theft, and harassment systemwide. Additionally, SSLE will look to identify locations (stations, trains, and buses) and the time of day of harassment reports to determine if any patterns exist and work with multi-layer resources to develop a strategy for visibility to prevent and minimize these types of incidents. 

Equity Platform

EQUITY PLATFORM

Metro continues to take a cross-disciplinary approach to sustain and grow ridership, improve the customer experience, and, most importantly, ensure the safety of Metro’s system. The collaboration between SSLE and its partners in the comprehensive public safety model remains strong as they work together strategically to support vulnerable and unhoused riders, respond to customer concerns, and improve cleanliness and security on the system. Each public safety resource is deployed on the system after carefully considering customer comments, crime data, and observations shared by law enforcement partners, contract security, multi-disciplinary outreach teams, and Metro Ambassadors to ensure every resource is used efficiently. As staff regularly collects and analyzes this data, identifying new hot spots and adjusting deployments as they do so, they can see reduced criminal activity; this advances the agency’s goal to have a safe environment for riders. Operator safety remains a top priority as Bus Safety Teams assist with offloading at end-of-line stations during Owl Service. Through these safety operations and comprehensive deployment, Metro is creating a safer environment for employees to perform their duties and riders to enjoy their trip experience.  

Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome

VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME

VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.*  Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.

This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through operational and customer experience activities that will improve and further encourage transit ridership. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.

*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.

Next Steps
NEXT STEPS

SSLE continues to monitor our law enforcement partners, private security, and Transit Security Officer performance, monitor crime stats, and consider information from surveys, customer complaints, and physical security assessments, amongst other sources, to analyze safety-related issues, adjust deployment strategies, and formulate new interventions

Attachments

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A - Station Experience Updates

Attachment B - Board Motion 31

Attachment C - Public Safety Surge Impact

Attachment D - Total Crime Summary December 2024

Attachment E - Systemwide Law Enforcement Overview December 2024

Attachment F - MTA Supporting Data December 2024

Attachment G - Sexual Harassment Crimes December 2024

Attachment H - Bus & Rail Operator Assaults December 2024

Attachment I - Arrests by Race & Ethnicity December 2024

Attachment J - Long-Term Crime Trends on Bus & Rail

Prepared by

Prepared by: Robert Gummer, Deputy Chief, System Security and Law Enforcement

Officer, (213) 922-4513

Stephen Tu, Deputy Executive Officer, Operations, (213) 418-3005

Karen Parks, Senior Director, Special Projects, (213) 922-4612

Imelda Hernandez, Senior Manager, Transportation Planning, (213) 922-4848

Reviewed By

Reviewed by: Kenneth Hernandez, Chief Transit Safety Officer (Interim), (213) 922-

2290

Jennifer Vides, Chief Customer Experience Officer, (213) 940-4060

Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034