Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020
Subject
SUBJECT: REPORT BACK ON COMMUNITY SAFETY APPROACH TO SYSTEM SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE Report on a Community Safety Approach to System Security and Law Enforcement.
Issue
ISSUE
At the June 2020 Regular Board meeting, Board Directors Bonin, Garcetti, Hahn, Dupont-Walker, and Solis filed motion 37, requesting System Security and Law Enforcement, the Executive Officer for Equity and Race, Executive Officer for Customer Experience, and the Office of Civil Rights, to report back in 90 days with recommendations on implementing a community approach to System Security and Law Enforcement.
Background
BACKGROUND
In the recent months, there has been nationwide demonstrations for racial justice and a conversation about the appropriate role of police in our society. Community leaders are demanding a shift in how agencies deliver public safety at every level of government. This includes reforming police practices as well as reallocating resources typically devoted to policing to other community safety initiatives.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
In an effort to take a community-centered approach to safety, Metro is to establish a Transit Public Safety Advisory Committee to re-envision transit safety and explore community-based approaches to policing leading up to and as part of the 2022 renewal of the multiagency police contract that was approved in 2017. Staff referenced the City of Santa Monica and BART as they’ve recently launched similar efforts.
To ensure the committee is comprised of diverse perspectives and reflects Metro’s ridership, staff proposes the following membership, criteria, and selection process:
Membership
• 15-member committee and 3 alternates
• Representation from the existing Community Safety and Security Working Group led by the Executive Officer for Equity and Race
• Representation from diverse perspectives, including racial, cultural, gender, sexual orientation, income, geography, immigration status, housing status, persons with disabilities, union groups
Criteria
• Individuals who regularly ride Metro’s system, have knowledge and expertise as advocates for racial justice, equitable transportation, and/or public safety reform, law enforcement experts, mental health providers or experts, and/or social service providers or experts
• Membership commitment required until June 2022
Selection Process
• Application - see Attachment A
o Three-week application window: October 12, 2020 - November 6, 2020
o Applications will be made available online on Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement webpage and at Metro Headquarters
o Will partner with Communications to advertise across Metro’s networks
o Phone line will be made available for support
o Applications can be submitted via email or mail
• Applications will be reviewed by the Chief System Security and Law Enforcement Officer, Chief Civil Rights Officer, Executive Officer for Equity and Race, Executive Officer for Customer Experience, and Chief of Staff
Staff anticipate notifying selected and non-selected applicants by early December and having its kick-off meeting in January 2021. One of the initial tasks for the committee will be to develop a governing charter to guide its purpose, functions, and bylaws.
The Committee will be supported by Metro staff representatives consisting of the following: Chief of Civil Rights, Executive Officer for Equity and Race, Executive Officer for Customer Experience, Chief of Staff, Chief System Security and Law Enforcement Officer. In addition, a non-Metro facilitator will be solicited to help guide the discussions of the Committee and support with meeting coordination. Staff is currently conducting market research for these services.
Metro staff and PSAC will review data and hold discussions to support development of a community-based approach to public safety. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, the following topics, as detailed in motion #37:
• Development of a Transit Ambassador Program
• Alternatives to armed law enforcement response to nonviolent crimes
• Greater community stewardship of transit spaces
• Universal Blue Light Program
• Education on fare discount programs
• Outreach and services for unhoused individuals
• Curtailing behaviors and conditions that adversely affect the health and safety of other riders
• Review of Metro’s Customer Code of Conduct
• Develop a definition, mission, and values statement for transit safety
• Reallocation of resources to the above strategies
In addition, System Security and Law Enforcement staff will work with the committee members to launch its Community-Oriented Policing Plan, review best practices for public safety, like the 21st Century Policing Standards, and launch a systemwide public safety survey of customers and front-line employees. The survey will help determine recommendations and serve as a baseline to track the effectiveness of public safety initiatives that are implemented.
Lastly, Metro will consult with PSAC members when developing the new multi-agency police contract.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Impact to Budget
At this moment, the recommendations outlined do not have a financial impact. The members of the Committee will serve on a voluntary basis. The facilitator, support for meetings, and the business of the Committee will be handled based on available resources from the supporting Metro departments.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This recommendation supports strategic plan goal 2.1 of improving security.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Staff will report back with an update at the January 2021 Regular Board meeting.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A PSAC Application
Prepared_by
Prepared by:
Aston T. Greene, Executive Officer, System Security and Law Enforcement, (213) 922-2599
Aaron Weinstein, Executive Officer for Customer Experience, (213) 922-3028
KeAndra Cylear Dodds, Executive Officer for Equity and Race, (213) 922-4850
Imelda Hernandez, Chief Administrative Analyst, (213) 922-4848
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by:
Bob Green, Chief System Security and Law Enforcement Officer, (213) 922-4811
Jonaura Wisdom, Chief Civil Rights Officer, (213) 418-3168
