Metro - File #: 2023-0226

• File #: 2023-0226
• Type: Motion / Motion Response
• Status: Passed
• File created: 3/23/2023
• In control: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• On agenda: 3/23/2023
• Final action: 3/27/2023
• Title: APPROVE Motion by Directors Najarian, Barger, Solis, Butts, Dutra, and Horvath that the Board direct the CEO to: A. Extend the pilot Drug-Free Metro Campaign on the B/D lines an additional 90 days; B. Deploy TSOs and Ambassadors to B/D station "hot spots" most acutely impacted by the increase in reported crime and take appropriate actions including applying the code of conduct and Respect the Ride program, as well as working with the Substance Abuse/Safety Campaign; C. Coordinate with the Los Angeles County Departments of Public Health and Mental Health to make substance abuse prevention and treatment resources available to the riding public as part of the pilot campaign; D. Evaluate current staffing to determine if additional internal resources should be allocated to supplement the pilot campaign and expand our TSO and Ambassador programs; E. Report back monthly with observations and outcomes of the above actions beginning in April 2023; and F. Report back in 90 days on environ...
• Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• Indexes: Ara Najarian, Design build, Fernando Dutra, Hilda Solis, Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, James Butts, Kathryn Barger, Law enforcement, Lindsey Horvath, Metro Rail B Line, Metro Rail D Line, Metro Transit Ambassadors, Motion / Motion Response, Program, Safety, Safety and security, Westlake/Macarthur Park Station
• Related files: 2023-0112

Date	Action By	Action	Result
3/27/2023	Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting	APPROVED AS AMENDED	Pass

Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MARCH 23, 2023

Preamble
Motion by:

DIRECTORS NAJARIAN, BARGER, SOLIS, BUTTS, DUTRA, AND HORVATH

Motion Related to Item 36 Monthly Update on Public Safety

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, overall crime has risen on our system. While bus ridership has almost recovered to pre-pandemic levels, it has plummeted on our rail system hovering at just under 50% with some lines at an anemic 30%. When analyzing crime data by rail line and bus lines, reported crime has risen exponentially on the B/D (Red/Purple) lines. Most troubling on these lines is the meteoric rise in reported crimes against society, such as illicit drug use and sales including on our plazas, rail platforms and ancillary areas. If we are to make our system safe for all our customers and bring back riders, we must improve our ability to address these issues and ensure our riders feel safe.

Over the past several years, Metro has implemented several non-law enforcement initiatives to reimagine public safety and security on our system. From deploying Homeless Outreach Teams and Transit Ambassadors to connect people using the system with appropriate information, to implementing design-driven interventions to address persistent illicit activity on our system and infrastructure. All these initiatives demonstrate Metro's commitment to the safety of Metro riders and employees.

Most recently, Metro launched the 30-day pilot Drug-Free Metro Campaign along the B/D lines. Staff has reported that there have already been measurable improvements along the system and therefore the customer experience. In the pilot's second week, Metro observed a 21 percent decrease In Transit Watch Reports related to incidents of smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use. By week three there was an additional 50 percent reduction in the reported activity. Moreover, the Drug-Free Metro Campaign has resulted in a 10 decrease in the total number of customer complaints across the system durin...