Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
MARCH 19, 2026
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. The agency implemented a multifaceted plan to improve safety outcomes and safety perceptions for riders and employees. The following summarizes current initiatives to accomplish this objective and recent public safety trends. This report summarizes January 2026 activity unless otherwise noted.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) focuses on a human-centered approach, compassion, and a culture of care, recognizing diversity and respecting the wide range of people and communities it serves. DPS seeks a reparative public safety model to address the root causes of crime and disorder that can occur within the system, minimize harm, and promote inclusion. By openly sharing public safety-related statistics, DPS builds trust in the public safety model, fosters transparency, improves public perception of safety in the system, and encourages community engagement. With the launch of the Metro Safety Hub <https://www.metro.net/safety-support/by-the-numbers/>, which includes the data dashboard, this report has been shortened, and previously reported data is now available in the online dashboard. This hub demonstrates the department’s commitment to openness, accountability, and the safety and well-being of employees and the transit community.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
THE SAFETY ENVIRONMENT IN JANUARY
January demonstrates that sustained visible presence, calibrated access control, and coordinated outreach mitigated localized fluctuations as ridership increased. While isolated variations occurred across the system, routine operational review enabled targeted deployment adjustments that reinforced corridor stability. The holiday surge deployment concluded earlier this month and appeared to have lingering positive effects on crime deterrence.
Total reported violent crimes were 167, and property crimes totaled 66, equating to approximately 6.85 and 2.71 per million boardings, respectively. Overall crime decreased this month, reflecting a recovery from an unusual spike in December. As part of a routine monthly review, elevated activity was identified in select areas, prompting adjustments to deployment schedules.
Non-violent quality-of-life and behavioral health-related incidents remained the most frequent type of safety contact. DPS reinforced coordinated visibility and crisis intervention deployment at higher-contact locations (Union Station, 7th Street/Metro Transit Center, and Westlake/MacArthur Park) and will continue monitoring engagement patterns as ridership volumes increase.
METRO’S THREE-PART SAFETY STRATEGY
1. Engaged and Visible Presence
Visible presence contributes directly to order, predictability, and rider confidence across the system. Uniformed personnel maintained proactive patrols in high-ridership corridors and during peak travel periods. Law enforcement conducted 8,085 bus boardings as part of visible engagement and deterrence efforts. Ambassadors and Community Intervention Specialists engaged 47,295 individuals.
Monthly operational review identified disruptive conduct in specific areas at certain times. Patrol timing was adjusted, and end-of-line monitoring was reinforced in response. Customers are observed to be more willing to alight from trains at the end of the line, thus creating a more seamless experience for both riders as they depart for their destination. These visibility efforts remain in place as ridership patterns evolve.
2. Enhancing Access Control & Station Experience
Access control and station stability reduce escalation risks and improve predictability for riders and employees. Transit Security officers conducted weapons-detection screening and monitored faregates at select stations during peak hours, deterring weapons and fare evasion, respectively. Staff also continue to receive feedback from customers that the presence of these tactics makes them feel safer coming onto the system than traveling on foot outside of a station.
Station experience measures - including lighting assessments, rapid graffiti response coordination, and environmental condition monitoring - were reinforced in higher-activity locations to maintain orderly station conditions. These access control and station experience efforts will continue as compliance and rider reports are reviewed.
To address cleanliness and loitering on the A Line, staff launched a pilot on the A Line platform at Union Station in early February, where they are conducting a midline “wellness” check with collaboration between service attendants, security officers, and HOME outreach. Staff will evaluate how different departments work together in a shared environment and plan to make fine-tuned adjustments as needed. Attachment A provides Station Experience updates.
3. Building Partnerships to Address Societal Impacts
Since safety solutions vary by situation, Metro invests in and implements care-based interventions. Outreach teams engaged 506 individuals experiencing homelessness in January, resulting in 180 interim and 39 permanent housing placements through coordination with regional service providers. Although these numbers reflect January, these efforts put Metro ahead of its goal of 2,100 placements this year.
Engagement levels and placement outcomes are reviewed monthly, with outreach deployment focused on higher-contact areas to support stabilization while reinforcing overall system order. Metro’s safety model combines accountability with care-based interventions to address transit-related challenges.
IMPLEMENTING METRO’S THREE-PART STRATEGY
Frontline Protection
Any assault on a Metro employee is unacceptable and is addressed with investigative priority. There were 21 assaults on Metro employees and contractors this month. Operator assaults totaled nine in January, up from one in December and six in January 2025. Six of these incidents occurred while the operator was behind the operator safety barrier. For the remaining three, two occurred when the operator stepped outside of the operator area to speak with a patron, and the other was by the side window.
Assaults on other frontline staff, including contract security, MTS, and Ambassadors, totaled 12 in January, a decrease from 17 in December and 16 in January 2025.
Assault incidents are reviewed to identify root causes and potential preventive measures, including de-escalation training. Assaults tend to escalate into physical altercations when staff are enforcing the Code of Conduct or asking a customer to offboard a bus or train. MTS Bus Safety Teams ride the top ten bus lines with the highest operator assault rates, and security is at end-of-line stations when service ends.
Enforcement and Accountability
Maintaining a visible presence is crucial to enhancing both system safety and perceptions of safety. Enforcement activity during January included 619 arrests, 762 citations, and 1,452 removals for Code of Conduct violations.
Surge deployment for the holiday season concluded in early January, and the successful arrest of multiple suspects from at least three robbery crews can be attributed to the decrease in property crimes. Targeted enforcement strategies will continue where conditions warrant.
Major Arrest
On January 8, LAPD officers on a B Line train at Hollywood/Western Station encountered a suspect who failed to show a valid TAP card. They found a loaded handgun with an extended magazine in his waistband and, in his backpack, two large bags of marijuana. He was arrested and booked for carrying a concealed firearm.
Emergency Preparedness and System Readiness
Scenario-based training exercises ensure Metro is prepared for any emergency event. Throughout January, DPS maintained coordinated emergency preparedness activities across rail and bus operations. Personnel participated in readiness exercises that addressed medical emergencies and service-disruption scenarios.
On January 7, Metro's Emergency Management Department held a Full-Scale Exercise at Wilshire/La Cienega Station, testing response to a train-versus-pedestrian derailment with 48 participants from multiple agencies. All responders completed station and vehicle training, demonstrating proficiency in notifications, emergency controls, and resource deployment. The exercise validated protocols and confirmed effective multi-agency coordination, maintaining transit and safety at one of Metro’s soon to be open D line extension stations, and a popular tourist destination leading up to major events like 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Medical Emergencies
Trained staff is essential in emergency medical situations. Narcan reversals in January totaled 19, compared to 11 in December. Overdose response volumes fluctuate monthly and reflect broader regional public health conditions. Each reversal reflects trained intervention and rapid-response capability.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The Metro transit system spans many diverse communities across Los Angeles County. The diversity of Metro’s service area includes economically and ethnically diverse areas, as well as diverse public safety needs. Metro continues to take a cross-disciplinary approach to sustain and grow ridership, improve customer experience, and, most importantly, ensure the safety of Metro’s system is equitable across Los Angeles County. The Care-Based Services Division demonstrates the agency’s holistic approach to improving public safety by bringing together all of Metro’s care-centered programs.
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.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through operational activities that will improve public safety and customer experience on Metro’s bus and rail system 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.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports Strategic Plan Goals #2.1: Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system; Metro is committed to improving security and #5.6: Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization; Metro will foster and maintain a strong safety culture.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
DPS will continue to monitor the performance of its law enforcement partners, private security, Transit Security Officers, and Care-Based Services members, as well as the agency’s crime statistics. It also considers information from system operations, surveys, customer complaints, and physical security assessments, amongst other sources, to analyze safety-related issues, adjust deployment strategies, and formulate new interventions.
Attachments
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - Station Experience Updates
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Robert Gummer, Deputy Chief, System Security and Law Enforcement
Officer, (213) 922-4513
Craig Joyce, Senior Executive Officer, Special Programs (213) 418-3008
Stephen Tu, Deputy Executive Officer, Operations, (213) 418-3005
Karen Parks, Senior Director, Special Projects, (213) 922-4612
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: William Scott, Chief of Police and Emergency Management, (213) 922-
5448
Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
Jennifer Vides, Chief Customer Experience Officer, (213) 922-4060
