Los Angeles Metro System as Safe as You Think? Uncover the Details

In the latest violence on Los Angeles County’s mass transit system, a man slashed a woman’s arm with a weapon at a Metro station Monday just a few hours after two people were stabbed during a fight that started aboard a bus in Glendale, authorities said. In this article we talk about Los Angeles Metro System as Safe as You Think.

All three victims are expected to survive, but the bloodshed highlights a spate of violence aboard Metro buses and trains over the last several weeks, including a killing at a Studio City train station and a driver who was stabbed on a bus full of passengers.

On Monday, a fight broke out among a group of passengers aboard a Metro bus around 7 p.m., according to a Metro spokesperson. The driver stopped the bus on Los Feliz Road at South Central Avenue in Glendale, where a man and three teenage boys got off and continued to fight in the street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Two of the four were stabbed, Metro authorities said. At first the teenagers ran, but two of them were apprehended and arrested after the Sheriff’s Department and the Glendale Police Department responded. The man, who was stabbed in the arm, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

One of the teenagers taken into custody was stabbed in the leg, according to authorities. He was taken to a hospital and was stable, but it’s unclear how he was injured, the Sheriff’s Department said. Authorities were still looking for the third teenager as of Tuesday afternoon.

Just a few hours later, a man attacked a woman on an elevator at the Vermont/Athens Metro Station alongside the 105 Freeway, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

The woman was stabbed in the arm shortly before 9 p.m., and the attacker boarded a westbound train headed toward the Hawthorne/Lennox Station, a Sheriff’s Department spokesperson told TV station KTLA. The woman was taken to a hospital, treated and released, authorities said.

Anyone with information about either incident can contact the Sheriff’s Department at (323) 563-5000.

Safer Than You Might Think

Although multiple attacks on Metro passengers have been in the news recently, the agency says fewer crimes are being reported per passenger. According to Metro, there were a little over 5 crimes reported per 1 million boardings in March, about 28% lower than in February and 41% lower than in March 2023.

The total number of Metro bus and train boardings in March 2024 was 25.8 million. That’s over 25 million opportunities for something to go wrong – but relatively few incidents compared to the total ridership.

While the recent violent events are alarming, the statistics indicate that riding the Metro is still generally safe. The likelihood of being the victim of a crime is low compared to the huge numbers of people using the system every day.

Still, the spate of violence is concerning. In the last several weeks, Metro passengers and drivers have been attacked, stabbed and in one case killed while trying to use the transportation system. Here are some of the incidents:

• On April 13, a 70-year-old man was stabbed around 1:30 a.m. by another passenger aboard a Metro bus. The man was stabbed during an argument and was taken to a hospital in stable condition.
• On April 14, a man stabbed a Metro bus driver while passengers watched the driver beg for help. The driver was released from the hospital.
• On April 22, a man fatally slashed the throat of a 66-year-old woman as she was getting off a Metro train in Studio City. The attacker has been charged with murder.
• On the same day, a Metro official asked the executive board to speed up the installation of protective barriers for bus drivers.

Clearly, Metro and law enforcement need to continue efforts to prevent violence and make the system safe. But with over 1.2 million boardings per day, eliminating all crime is an impossible task. Riders and drivers should remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity and have a safety plan.

Overall, however, statistics show public transit in Los Angeles remains relatively safe compared to its massive ridership. While concerning, the violent incidents are still isolated events given the sheer numbers of people using Metro every day.

What Metro is Doing to Improve Safety

Metro says it is working hard to prevent violence and improve safety across its transportation network. Strategies and measures include:

• Installing security cameras in all Metro buses, trains and stations. Over 10,000 security cameras are currently in place.
• Increased police patrols and security personnel present across the Metro system. Both the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department help patrol Metro property.
• Emergency call boxes installed across Metro stations allowing riders to immediately connect with security personnel if needed.
• Improved lighting across all Metro property to reduce areas that could harbor criminal activity.
• Launching a new mobile safety app that allows riders to easily report crimes or suspicious activity and request assistance.
• Working with local communities and advocacy groups to identify safety issues and areas for improvement.
• Exploring advanced technology like artificial intelligence that can automatically detect dangerous situations and alert authorities.
• Installation of protective driver barriers on Metro buses that shield operators from confrontational riders.

Metro CEO Phillip Washington has stated safety is the agency’s primary concern and guiding principle for operations. With over $1 billion a year dedicated specifically to safety and security measures, Metro takes its responsibility seriously.

The recent violent events, while rare, do present an opportunity to examine current practices, identify gaps, and explore new technology and partnerships to further boost safety. Metro officials have stated they will leave no stone unturned when it comes to protecting passengers and employees.

The Last Word on Metro Safety

While the recent attacks are tragic, Los Angeles Metro buses and trains remain a relatively safe transportation option given the system’s massive size and ridership. The likelihood of being the victim of a crime on Metro property is still extremely small.

Metro also continues to invest heavily in safety measures and advanced technology while working with law enforcement to prevent violence. Riders should stay vigilant, report suspicious activity and have a safety plan when using public transportation. But overall statistics show Metro transportation is safer than many alternatives even as officials continue working to improve.

The recent incidents, while alarming, should not deter the vast majority of riders who rely on the affordable and efficient Metro system daily. Transit safety must remain a top priority for Metro leadership. But a few isolated events should not cast public transit as dangerous considering the millions of successful trips in Los Angeles each month. Avoiding sensationalism and keeping perspective is important even as Metro officials redouble efforts to protect passengers and prevent future violence. I sincerely hope you find this “Los Angeles Metro System as Safe as You Think? Uncover the Details” article helpful.