Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JUNE 18, 2020
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS BONIN, SOLIS, AND GARCETTI
Mutual Aid Agreement
On May 30, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in Los Angeles County and as a result Metro was requested to provide eight buses to transport detainees arrested during a protest after curfew. Additional buses were requested on subsequent nights. Metro provided these buses as part of its obligations under a mutual aid agreement. This agreement was signed in recognition of the need for government coordination after natural disasters, human-made disasters, and similar emergencies where transportation might be needed to move civilians out of harm’s way. Per LAPD, of the 700 arrested on the night of May 30th, 70 had a connection to property crime such as looting and vandalism, meaning that over 600 arrestees were demonstrators not connected to criminal activity. Metro’s assets should not be used as part of detaining and transporting protestors exercising their First Amendment rights.
Metro provides critical transportation services to communities throughout Los Angeles County. Low-income Black and brown communities comprise the overwhelming majority of Metro’s ridership. These same communities are leading the protest movement for racial justice. It is an unfortunate consequence of the mutual aid program that Metro’s assets were used to detain demonstrators speaking out for equity for Black communities. The agreements and policies that led to this outcome should be revisited to ensure they are consistent with Metro’s values. In the future, Metro’s assets should only be used for civilian transportation during emergencies.
Subject
SUBJECT: MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE Motion by Directors Bonin, Solis, and Garcetti that the Board direct the Chief Executive Officer and County Counsel to:
A. Review Metro’s commitments under the mutual aid agreement and seek amendments, if necessary, to ensure that Metro’s assets are only required for civilian transportation purposes.
B. Report back to the Operations, Safety, and Customer Experience Committee in 90 days.