Meeting_Body
REVISED
SYSTEM SAFETY, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Subject
SUBJECT: MONTHLY UPDATE ON TRANSIT POLICING PERFORMANCE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE Monthly Update on Transit Policing Performance.
Issue
ISSUE
This report reflects July 2017 performance data as reported under the new transit policing deployment strategy which is a combination of in-house fare compliance officers, private security for fixed assets, and a multi-agency law enforcement deployment strategy by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD). The information in this report summarizes system-wide Part 1 and 2 crime data, average emergency response times, assaults on bus operators, and Metro’s fare compliance efforts. Five (5) of the six (6) new Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are introduced in the current report. The final KPI will be forthcoming when technology issues are resolved (Attachment C).
The full deployment began on July 1st, so it is important to note that the 26.2% increase in July’s part 1 crime activity is due in large part to two basic factors: 1) High visibility staffing resulting in more officers and deputies patrolling the system; 2) a high ratio of proactive work on the part of officers and deputies. More than 85% of July’s enforcement activities were self-initiated by officers and deputies on patrol, rather than relying on 911 calls alone. Staff expects reported crimes will stabilize over time as the high visibility model achieves the goal of crime prevention.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The key highlights for July 2017:
New Multi-Agency Deployment Strategy:
As of July 1st, all of Metro’s law enforcement partners have achieved full mobilization. The LAPD has assumed 100% of the patrol and response duties within the City of Los Angeles; the LASD redeployed their personnel to Metro service areas outside of Los Angeles and Long Beach; The LBPD has assumed patrol and response duties for eight (8) Metro Blue Line stations within the City of Long Beach.
Metro fully executed the contract agreements with LAPD and LBPD prior to July 1. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the Metro/LASD contract in August. Metro’s contract with LASD takes effect September 1, 2017.
Physical Security Improvements:
The Systems Security and Law Enforcement division continues to provide a secure and safe environment for our patrons and employees. During the last few months, Metro staff have partnered with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to test a person-borne explosive screening device at Metro. Staff continues to leverage the relationship with TSA to bring the newest technology to our operations.
Staff has assigned private security guards to safeguard critical infrastructure at fixed facilities and rail stations. Furthering the physical security improvements, staff has initiated a procurement to conduct an assessment of critical infrastructure needs and the mitigation methods needed to protect the facilities.
Significant Activities:
Los Angeles Police Department
• 7/17/17- A male adult suspect riding the Orange Line grabbed the buttocks of a female passenger and was later arrested for sexual battery.
• 7/17/17- An intoxicated male suspect riding the Orange Line inappropriately touched a female rider on her arms and chest. The suspect was initially arrested for battery; the charge was later amended to sexual battery.
• 7/29/17- A Gold Line rider reported that he had been inappropriately touched by another rider, who then stole his tap card. Responding officers made contact with the victim and arrested the suspect at the scene. The suspect was placed under arrest for theft and sexual battery.
Long Beach Police Department:
• 7/6/17- LASD Transit Bureau called LBPD dispatch advising that a group of juveniles committed a robbery on the Green Line, then fled southbound on the Blue Line towards Long Beach. A LBPD Sergeant, working Metro Transportation overtime, located and detained the group near Pacific Coast Highway and Linden Avenue. The subsequent joint investigation conducted by LASD and LBPD led to the arrest of the six juveniles and recovery of some of the stolen items.
• 7/26/17- While patrolling the Downtown Long Beach Station, two LBPD officers witnessed a theft in progress - a rider stealing a backpack from a sleeping passenger on the train. The officers detained and arrested the suspect for theft.
• 7/30/17- LBPD Metro and Patrol units were dispatched to the Pacific Coast Highway Station regarding a strong-arm robbery. The victim reported the suspect pushed him off the platform and onto the tracks, and then attacked the victim and stole his backpack. LBPD officers located and arrested the suspect. The victim sustained moderate injuries and was treated at a local hospital.
Los Angeles County Sheriff:
• 7/4/17- Units responded to a business disturbance call of a person refusing to exit the train at Santa Monica Station. Upon arrival, they found a male adult who was unresponsive and no pulse could be detected. Paramedics were requested and the deputies performed chest compressions until a pulse was detected. Patient transported to St. Johns hospital.
• 7/6/17- A deputy was flagged down while on patrol of the Expo Line. The deputy observed a male threatening to jump from the overpass onto the I-110 freeway - he had one leg over the pedestrian guardrail. The deputy approached and grabbed the suicidal person before he jumped. The individual was later transported to a local hospital to receive care.
• 7/16/17- A deputy arrested a male suspect for various identity theft, forgery, and theft violations at the Lakewood Green Line Station. The deputy initially observed the suspect parked in a handicapped parking spot without a placard. The deputy made contact and determined the suspect was wanted on a warrant out of Orange County. After arresting the suspect, the deputy discovered multiple items of miscellaneous identity theft articles in his possession.
Community and Problem Oriented Policing Activities:
Transit law enforcement attended the following community events during the month of July:
• 1st Anniversary of the Metro Bike Program Event
• LAPD Safe Summer Tip Off Event
Homeless Action Plan
In spring 2016, Metro created a Metro Homeless Task Force to address the homeless that have turned to Metro system and properties for alternative shelter. Out of that Task Force, Metro created the Metro Transit Homeless Action Plan which was presented to the Metro Board of Directors in February 2017. The Action Plan’s main goals are to enhance the customer experience, maintain a safe and secure system and provide coordinated homeless outreach to those homeless in need. Parts of that plan’s components include Metro’s coordination with County and City Measure H and Measure HHH. The plan also calls for the hiring of two C3 teams (County, City, Community) through the County Department of Health Services as motioned by Metro’s Board of Directors. The C3 teams are to provide coordinated and responsive outreach to the homeless to ultimately get them in housing resources.
Metro’s C3 Homeless Outreach Teams:
Metro’s C3 Homeless Outreach teams’ twelve-month pilot program began on May 22, 2017 with initial homeless outreach on the Red Line. Since the launch of Metro’s C3 Homeless Outreach teams Metro’s C3 teams have provided substantial homeless outreach-- with 1250 homeless contacts, 923 of which have been unduplicated. Of these contacts, 142 individuals have been placed into permanent housing resources.
C3 Homeless Outreach May 22, 2017 through July 31, 2017:
|
Performance Measure |
Fiscal Year to Date Number Served |
|
Number of initiated contacts with unduplicated individuals |
1250 |
|
Number of Unduplicated individuals engaged |
923 |
|
Number of Unduplicated individuals provided services (obtaining vital documents, follow-up activities, transportation, CES packet, clinical assessment, etc.) or successful referral (supportive services, benefits linkage etc.) |
309 |
|
Number of unduplicated individuals engaged who are successfully linked to an interim housing resource |
40 |
|
Number of unduplicated individuals engaged who are linked to a permanent housing resource |
102 |
|
Number of unduplicated individuals engaged who are permanently housed |
3 |
Race Snapshot of Metro Bus and Rail Homeless:
|
Race |
Percentage |
|
Asian / Pacific Islander |
1% |
|
Black/ African- American |
75% |
|
Hispanic/ Latino |
10% |
|
White/ Caucasian |
12% |
|
Other/ Unknown |
2% |
New Homeless Encampment Identified: An area along the Blue Line north of Carson Street and south of Del Amo Boulevard has been identified as having homeless encampments. This is outside of the Blue Line right-of-way, but is readily visible from both north and southbound trains. Metro Transportation officers are working with the North Division Patrol Resource Officer and Multi-Service Center personnel in an attempt to remove the encampments.
New Homeless Encampment Identified: The eastern portion of Veterans Park, which is north of the Willow Street Station, has been identified as an emerging transient encampment. This is outside of the Blue Line right-of-way, but is readily visible from both north and southbound trains. Metro Transportation officers are working with the West Division Patrol Resource Officer and Multi-Service Center personnel in an attempt to remove the emerging encampment.
The LASD Transit Mental Evaluation Teams (TMET) have been proactively working with various agencies and help groups to continue to provide services for the patrons of the Metro system. They made over 451 contacts with person’s in need, resulting in 27 being transported to outreach services and 11 being committed for 5150 WIC. They participated in the clean-up of the area near the Slauson Pax on the Blue Line, which was related to two power outages on the Metro Blue Line.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - System-Wide Law Enforcement Overview July 2017
Attachment B - Supporting Crime Data July 2017
Attachment C- Key Performance Indicators
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Alex Z Wiggins, Chief, System Security and Law Enforcement, (213) 922-4433
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Stephanie Wiggins, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, (213) 922-1023
