If you read this blog, you probably know that we are deeply committed to improving safety on our system. It’s the most critical aspect of our work to provide safe and affordable transportation for all.
Over the past year, we’ve launched several public safety programs designed to bolster security on the system. These range from station enhancements such as better lighting and more CCTV cameras to more uniformed officers patrolling the system.
These programs fall into three key categories:
- ensuring the visible presence of law enforcement and Metro Ambassadors on our system
- improving access control, such as our TAP-to-Exit program, to ensure that riders are using our system for its intended purpose: transit
- establishing partnerships with city and county organizations to address the societal issues of our time, such as homelessness and drug addiction.
Here is more about our recent work:
Crime is down
In 2024, the rate of violent crime per million boardings on Metro fell by 15.5% compared to 2023, according to data from our law enforcement partners. In January 2025, violent crime dropped even further to 5.09 incidents per 1 million boardings, their lowest level since February 2020. In fact, when you look at the data over the longer term –– below, you’ll see rates of violent crime over the past two years –– the trends are even more pronounced.
Data from Metro’s Transit Watch App –– which you can download here –– also shows marked improvements since May 2024, when we began a surge of Metro public safety personnel on our system and launched our first TAP-to-Exit program at North Hollywood Station. If you haven’t used it yet, the Transit Watch App (TWA) allows you to report what you see on the system –– everything from cleanliness issues to broken elevators to violent incidents. We’re pleased to share that reports on the app related to safety are down significantly on our three busiest rail lines: the A, B, and E Lines. These are places where we’ve focused on improving access control through programs such as Tap-to-Exit.
Not only has the system become safer for riders, but it also has become safer for our employees. Data shows our bus operators are facing fewer instances of assault as fully enclosed bus operator barriers have been deployed system wide. We’re proud to be the first transit agency in the nation to retrofit our entire bus fleet with fully-enclosed operator barriers, a milestone we reached in December, 2024.
All this data is encouraging, but we know we still have more work to do to make our system as safe as we want it to be. No act of violence is acceptable on Metro. Below are some additional changes that you can expect to see in the coming weeks and months.
New and improved faregates
This past February, the Metro Board of Directors approved funding to install new, taller faregates at more of our rail stations to help reduce fare evasion and to ensure that people are using our system for transit. We recently installed them at Firestone and Lake Stations on the A Line, and we’re seeing impressive results. Read more about them –– and where you will see them next –– here.
Expansion of weapons detection pilot
The Metro Board has also approved a motion to expand our weapons detection pilot program that began in October 2024 using pillar-type screening systems we’ve already been testing on the A and B/D Lines.
The goal of this 12-month pilot program is to gather additional data on the effectiveness, staffing needs and potential impact on our riders. Testing won’t be limited to our rail stations. We’ll also be studying how weapons detection technology can be deployed on our buses. Stay tuned for more updates.
Elevator attendant program pilot
You deserve safe and clean elevators that are ready when you need them, but they sometimes go out of service due to misuse. To combat that, we’ve started programming elevator doors to remain open when not in use – to prevent elevators being used for illicit purposes. This step has substantially improved cleanliness and safety. Unfortunately, only 25% of our elevators have the hardware required for the open-door capability. That’s why we’re piloting a new elevator attendant program in three locations: Pershing Square, 7th Street/Metro Center and Hollywood/Vine.
BART has used a similar program for several years at their most problematic elevators, and have seen positive results. We will keep you posted on the progress of the pilot.
All these actions we’re taking have one overarching goal: keeping you safe. We’ll continue to closely monitor our progress, but we also want you to let us know how we’re doing. Do you have questions? Concerns? Let us know in the comments.
As always, thanks for riding Metro.
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You need to make certain there is cell phone service in underground trains, and post signs noting this. Also, wifi will help, as passengers will be comfortable knowing their 9-1-1 calls will go thru and be answered. Security cameras may help, as potential perps may see them and realize their actions are seen and recorded. On that: Some of them should be down at eye level or even waist level, as views of the tops of heads is often nothing but the top of a hoodie.
Thank you for the update on this. I know that you don’t make the decisions here, but I would like to comment on Metro generally.
Unfortunately, the ol’ loophole of just reaching over the emergency gate and opening that still exists. It’s also really uncomfortable to have antisocial people stand closely behind you, waiting, so that they can get through the bike gate as you tap in.
Re: elevators. Why not just add the hardware/control boards for the elevators instead of paying someone to be an elevator attendant? That’s at least $40,000/year per elevator to have an attendant.
I saw a security team escort three college students out of Little Tokyo station who were quietly recording a video on the platform. Meanwhile, literally at the same exact time, a woman had pulled her pants down, squatted, and started peeing on the platform. No one said anything. The security walked right by here. It has been three years since Metro’s CX survey where riders clearly asked for change, and rather than treating it as a crisis, it’s still as uncomfortable as ever to ride Metro rail.
I dream of an LA where I can recommend the rail system, especially the B line, to visitors, but as of now I still would not.
Assuming the truth of everything cited herein, these are definitely steps in the right direction. That said, the view from the ground is still at odds with some of the things being trumpeted here. Just today on the Red Line (or whatever letter we’re calling it this week) there was a passenger on the platform at Hollywood & Vine with a full-sized refrigerator which he was going to attempt to load onto a subway car. Let me repeat that. A passenger with a full-sized refrigerator. Luckily, there were security officers who intercepted the passenger and did not allow him to board the next train (which is all I saw). Later that same trip, there were security officers instructing people at Union Station to “just keep walking” at the exit turnstiles, and not to present their validated TAP cards. If we’re not going to enforce the rules, why have them in place to begin with?
We are still in DESPERATE need of more fare enforcement in Metro stations (and on buses, for that matter). Please don’t rest on your laurels because things might look rosier already. There is much that remains to be done.