Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
JUNE 27, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO MOTION 15.1 ENHANCING METRO'S MULTI-LAYERED PUBLIC SAFETY PRESENCE AND RESPONSE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE a report in response to Motion 15.1.
Issue
ISSUE
At its May 2024 Meeting, the Board approved Motion 15.1 (Attachment A) by Directors Horvath, Hahn, Dutra, Butts, Solis, and Barger, directing staff to invite the multi-agency law enforcement partners to report on public safety on the Metro system at its June meeting and for staff to provide a per-hour cost analysis for law enforcement personnel, transit security officers, private security, and transit ambassadors.
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro has made significant financial investments to improve safety and the perception of safety on the transit system for its valued riders and hardworking frontline employees.
Metro's FY24 Budget includes $194.1 million for contracts with its law enforcement partners - the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and Long Beach Police Department.
Since February 2022, Metro has also invested approximately $69.2 million to build out the ranks of homeless outreach and mental health professionals, community intervention workers, transit ambassadors, and transit security officers as it implemented a comprehensive multi-layered, care-first public safety program designed to address the serious societal issues that were at the root of much of the safety issues.
While overall crime rates have declined, there have been several instances of serious violent crimes and operator assaults over the past 90 days that have underscored the immediate need to better secure and increase visibility across the system.
In response to the Board's request, this report provides a per-hour cost analysis of current safety resources to ensure the law enforcement contracts are realizing the expected performance results, achi...
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