HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Los Angeles Metro system has been plagued by public safety concerns recently amid a series of highly publicized incidents, including stabbings and shootings.
These issues took center stage Wednesday when transportation leaders delivered their annual “State of the Agency” addresses.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will hand over the chair position to County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
“As the new chairman of the Metro board, my top priority will be the safety of our passengers and the safety of our employees,” Hahn declared.
Bass noted that the agency’s ridership has increased every month for the past 18 months, bringing it close to serving 1 million people almost every day.
Hahn also said the city has improved outreach to the homeless with the opening of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Agency Navigation Center.
“For the first time, when homeless people have to get off the train at the last stop in the middle of the night, our homeless outreach teams have a place to take them and provide them with a meal and a warm bed,” Hahn said.
Safety is a top priority for most Metro riders and employees, as the past few months have seen fights, fatal stabbings and other brutal attacks on Metro trains and buses.
In June, the commission voted to create the transit system’s own police force, which it expects to take about five years to develop and hire, rather than relying on outside law enforcement agencies such as the LAPD or sheriff’s department.
Meanwhile, Hahn said they’re already seeing an increased law enforcement presence.
“We’ve now increased the number of officers on our trains and buses by 20 per cent and we’re already hearing from passengers that it’s the first time they’ve seen uniformed officers on their routes.”
Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said the public safety goals take into account not only everyday users, but also the expected influx of visitors from around the world due to several major upcoming events in Los Angeles, including the 2026 World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
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