The Los Angeles City Council recently unanimously approved a motion demanding accountability and urgent action from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and LA Metro officials regarding ongoing safety issues on the transit system. In this article we talk about Los Angeles City Council Demands Accountability Over Safety Concerns on Metro.
This comes amid growing frustration over violent crimes, assaults, and a lack of urgency to implement safety measures on Metro trains, buses, platforms and stations. The motion specifically calls for a detailed report from the LAPD and Metro highlighting safety statistics from 2017-2024, including a victim demographic breakdown.
The Impetus – A Tragic Stabbing and Simmering Safety Fears
The motion, introduced by LA Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, was prompted by the brutal daylight stabbing of 66-year old grandmother Mirna Soza Arauz on a Metro B Line (Red) train in April. Arauz was stabbed multiple times in an unprovoked attack and later died from her injuries. Her tragic killing highlighted the vulnerabilities Metro riders face and sparked outrage over perceptions that more priority is given to protecting wildlife than human passengers.
Councilmembers pointed out the irony that the city can build special animal crossings but appears unable to ensure working-class Angelenos can safely ride transit to their jobs without fear of assault. The fact Arauz was attacked in broad daylight further emphasized the lawlessness and dangers riders face daily. her death also highlighted worries that Metro remains unsafe for elderly passengers and vulnerable groups.
Ongoing Safety Issues on LA’s Transit System
Arauz’s killing follows years of well-documented safety issues on Metro buses, trains and stations. According to Metro data, violent crimes rose 69% from 2020 to 2024. In 2021, there were 2 homicides, 70 aggravated assaults and 14 rapes reported across the system.
Additionally, LA riders and bus operators have increasingly faced verbal and physical harassment and attacks. Many report being threatened, punched, spit on, sexually harassed, robbed and more. Operators alone reported over 600 assaults in 2023, though many more incidents likely go unreported.
The perpetrators often escape consequences, leaving riders and drivers feeling unprotected. Drug use, smoking, fare evasion, vandalism and other violations are also rampant, diminishing quality of life for riders and workers.
As the city gears up to host the 2028 Olympics, officials worry about the dreadful optics of visitors experiencing an unsafe, chaotic transit system. Councilman John Lee argues “we can’t have people hearing stories, coming in and already being afraid to use our public transportation system.”
Why Has Metro Failed to Ensure Safety?
Critics argue LA Metro has chronically deprioritized passenger and employee safety while mismanaging resources and funding. They contend Metro focuses more on expansion projects than protecting its current riders.
Many also blast Metro for being slow to adopt proven safety solutions like barriers, guards, updated technology and stronger consequences for offenders. For example, despite years of assaults, Metro only just approved installing protective plexiglass barriers on all 2,000 buses by 2024. Critics say that timeline is still too slow.
There are also concerns Metro hides the true scale of safety issues by underreporting crime stats. Some allege Metro purposefully obscures data to downplay dangers, frustrating efforts to fully understand problems.
Metro itself has admitted past safety programs have been “ineffective” and pledged to do better. But many say urgent action, not more dialogue, is needed now.
LA City Council Demands Answers and Accountability
The LA City Council motion aims to hold Metro accountable by compelling it to transparently detail safety issues and efforts to date. The report will include annual crime data from 2017-2024, covering the scope of safety problems across Metro’s recent history. Requiring a victim demographic breakdown also seeks to illuminate which groups are most impacted.
Additionally, demanding simultaneous reports from Metro and LAPD aims to reconcile any conflicting statistics between agencies. Councilmembers contend Metro has previously provided information that diminishes certain crimes or shifts blame elsewhere.
The end goal is for Metro to definitively demonstrate whether past funding and initiatives have moved the needle on safety. The report will also inform data-driven decisions on further improving security measures.
Some solutions Metro is pursuing or considering include:
- Installing platform barrier gates at stations
- Increasing security cameras/updating camera technology
- Implementing facial recognition and AI video analytics
- Developing ability to remotely monitor buses/trains
- Strengthening consequences for repeat offenders
- Banning problematic individuals from the system
- Increasing security guards/police presence
While promising, Councilmembers note many such solutions have been discussed for years without being implemented. The motion demands evidence these ideas are being rapidly deployed to protect vulnerable riders now, not years from now.
The Bigger Picture – Public Transit Safety in Focus Nationwide
LA Metro is not alone in facing public safety crises. Transit systems nationwide are grappling with rising crime, harassment and decreasing ridership. Systems in New York City, San Francisco, Philadelphia and more have faced high-profile attacks, contributing to fears over urban transportation.
However, the unique scale of LA’s sprawling, fragmented transit networks present distinct challenges. Metro moves nearly 1.2 million daily passengers across 93 cities – more than double the ridership of transit systems in New York and Chicago combined.
Securing such an expansive system on a tight budget is daunting. Yet Metro also shoulders great expectations as a critical mobility provider in America’s second largest city. With the 2028 Olympics magnifying global attention, the pressure is on to urgently improve safety.
Many eyes are on LA, as public transit increasingly represents a microcosm of debates over crime, policing, mental health and livability in US cities. How LA tackles reforming Metro safety could prove a bellwether for transit agencies nationwide.
In demanding urgent action and accountability from Metro leadership now, the LA City Council is signaling the time for excuses is over. Riders like Mirna Soza Arauz deserve – and have the right – to use public transit without risking their lives. Metro must finally make passenger and employee safety the top priority. I sincerely hope you find this “Los Angeles City Council Demands Accountability Over Safety Concerns on Metro- Whats the Story?” article helpful.
Ruby Arora is the lead writer at LosAngelesDailyNews.net, where she brings her extensive expertise in journalism and communications to cover Los Angeles’ vibrant culture and breaking news. Ruby holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and has a track record of delivering insightful and accurate stories. Connect with her on Instagram and YouTube for more updates and behind-the-scenes content.
