Meeting_Body
SYSTEM SAFETY, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 15, 2015
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: MONTHLY UPDATE ON TRANSIT POLICING PERFORMANCE
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE monthly update on transit policing performance.
Issue
ISSUE
On September 4, 2014, the board requested that staff provide a monthly update on transit policing performance to Systems Safety and Operations Committee. Specifically, the board requested monthly updates on criminal activity, fare enforcement, response time, deployment and perception of safety.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
In October 2015, staff continues to be proactive in working with Operations, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Communications in addressing perception of safety, criminal activity, fare enforcement, response time, and deployment. Below are the key highlights:
Actions to Improve the Ridership Experience
• Staff is using a working group to address long-term concerns about blight and disorder at Pershing Square and Westlake/MacArthur Park. The working group is using a “Problem-Oriented Policing” strategy.
• High Visibility
• Transit Security Officers (TSO) and Los Angeles County Sheriffs have been engaging and interacting with patrons and operators to achieve increased presence and increase the perception of safety on the Metro system.
o TSO Bus Boarding Activity: The total number of TSO Bus Boardings for the month of August 2015 is 2,145. The total number of fare checks is 10,838.
o LASD Bus Riding Team (BRT): The total number of BRT Bus Rides for the month of August 2015 is 1,090. The total number of fare checks is 40,580.
Criminal Activity:
Bus Operator Assaults:
• Comparing January-August 2014 to January-August 2015, there has been a 27% increase of operator assaults. Of the 114 total operator assaults for January-August 2015, 80% of the Aggravated Assaults, 34.4% of the Non-Aggravated Assaults, 66.7% of the Robberies, and 33.3% of the sex crimes have had a suspect taken into custody. The majority of bus operator assaults are fare related followed by disorderly conduct.
• Attachment B contains the matrix for the suspects who have assaulted Bus Operators that LASD has been tracking.
• Of the 114 total operator assaults from January-August 2015, there were 15 Aggravated Assaults, 93 Non-Aggravated Assaults, 3 Robberies, and 3 Sex Crimes. Of the 114 assaults, 50 suspects used their hands/feet for the method of assault, followed by 31 suspects spitting, 11 throwing food or liquid, 12 using a weapon, 5 throwing other objects, 2 pepper spray and 3 sexual harassment incidents.
• From January-August 2015, there have been 340,507,042 bus boardings and 114 total operator assaults, equating to 1 bus operator assault per 2.9 million boardings.
Operator Safety:
• Metro has completed 36% of the installation of the live on-board video display monitors, and 20% of the installation of the operator barriers.
LASD Success Stories
• 08/04/2015 - At approximately 12:48 AM, Transit Policing Division units responded to a report of a male passenger threatening a bus operator on Line 720, Route 21, with a cigarette lighter. The bus stopped at the intersection of Wilshire Blvd and Crenshaw Avenue in the city of Los Angeles. TPD units arrived and detained the suspect, who had assaulted the bus driver. The driver positively identified the suspect as the male who threatened to set him on fire with a cigarette lighter. The suspect was placed under arrest for making criminal threats and assault with a deadly weapon. The driver was not injured nor any passengers aboard the bus. The bus was placed back in service at approximately 1:30 AM. Charges are pending against the suspect.
• 08/04/2015 - At approximately 6:42 PM, LASD Transit Policing Division received a call of a male stabbed at the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Bagley Avenue in the city of Culver City. An argument had ensued between a male in his 30’s and the female driver of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bus on Line #33. As the suspect was verbally abusing the female driver, another 30 year old male patron came to her aid by telling the suspect to stop arguing with her. The suspect and Good Samaritan exited the bus and a physical altercation ensued on the sidewalk. At this point, the suspect produced a knife and began slashing at the Samaritan. The Samaritan sustained a slash wound on his upper torso and right forearm. The suspect fled the area as witnesses called 911. The Samaritan got back onto the bus and was transported a block away where the driver summoned TPD units. An immediate search for the suspect began and the suspect was located. The suspect was placed under arrest by Culver City Police for assault with a deadly weapon as the crime had occurred on a city street. The Samaritan was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. No other injuries were reported and the bus was placed back into service. TPD Detectives will work with Culver City PD to help in the prosecution of this case.
• 08/25/2015 - Transit North Bureau deputies were checking fares at the Fillmore Gold Line Station. A male, adult, did not have proof of fare payment and was initially uncooperative with the deputies. Further investigation found that the man had a loaded, .380 caliber handgun, concealed in his waist area. Deputies continued with their investigation and found that the suspect is a known gang member and a convicted felon who is not supposed to be in possession of a firearm of any kind. The suspect was arrested and booked on numerous changes.
Fare Enforcement:
• In August 2015, law enforcement performed 514,679 fare checks on the rails and Orange Line. In comparison, law enforcement performed 565,249 fare checks on the rails and Orange Line in July 2015, resulting in a decrease of 50,570 fare checks from July 2015 to August 2015
Response Time:
• In August 2015, the average response time for “Calls for Service” (Emergency, Priority and Routine) for all rail lines and buses was 22.7 minutes. LASD currently complies with Metro’s Performance Metrics requirement of average of 30 minutes for calls for service. Specifically, the response time for emergency calls was 4.8 minutes.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Transit Policing Division Report August 2015
Attachment B - Matrix of Bus Operator Assault Suspects
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Duane Martin, DEO Project Management, (213) 922-7460
Alex Wiggins, EO System Security and Law Enforcement, (213) 922-4433
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by:
Stephanie Wiggins, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, (213) 922-1023
