Of the 153 violent crimes perpetrated on the Metro, the Los Angeles public transportation system, between May 2023 and April 2024, more than 93%, 143 have been committed by people who did not pay their fare and were traveling by trick. .
This was revealed by a report from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, whose statistics show that despite the serious crimes that have been recorded in recent months, violent crime decreased 10% between January and April of this year.
However, the violent deaths that have occurred in the last couple of months have sparked great concern among Angelenos.
Just on Tuesday, May 21, a man stabbed another man on a Metro bus in Lynwood; On Thursday, May 16, a 32-year-old father was fatally shot on a Metro bus in Commerce; and a month ago, a 67-year-old Nicaraguan grandmother died as a result of an attack in a train car in Studio City while she was returning from work.
Hours before the murder of the father of the family, on May 16, the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, presented a motion to assign more police officers to buses, trains and Metro stations, a 20% increase in the number of police officers. police.
A ticket is not a guarantee
Florencio López, who daily uses a combination of bus and train to go to work, doubted the sheriff’s statistics a bit, since he said that a ticket does not guarantee that the person who owns it will not commit a crime.
“More important would be for the Metro to find a way to prevent passengers from boarding with any type of weapons.”
He also said he would like to see emergency buttons or announcements on trucks and trains about what to do in case of danger.
“There are many homeless people who use buses and train cars as shelter because they have nowhere to go, and because they have air conditioning. So they take the opportunity to sleep; and I have never seen people approach them to offer them resources or support.”
He added that normally when boarding a bus, a Metro survey arrives on his phone on Google Maps so he can give his opinion on the service.
“That’s fine, but they don’t give me options to give feedback.”
It’s crazy
The immigration lawyer, Mario Acosta, who advocates for Sarahi Varela, the wife of Juan Luis Gómez who was murdered on a bus in Commerce, considered that the Metro has to change strategies.
“If they keep doing the same things, and they don’t give them results, it’s crazy, nothing is going to change.”
He said that in reality, today, any armed person can get on the Metro and even throw a bomb.
“We don’t have security. “I don’t understand why the United States government doesn’t issue an alert not to travel on the Metro after the violent incidents that have happened, as if it does when there is a crime in other countries.”
Honestly, said lawyer Acosta, that at this moment, given the way things are, he does not recommend that Angelenos travel on the Metro.
“Better look for an alternative transportation system because as passengers we cannot control what happens on trucks and trains.”
everyone must pay
Mey Lyn Mitteen, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Metro, said more security officers have already been assigned to trucks and trains, and their number is gradually increasing.
When asked who is exempt from paying fare on the Metro, he said that all people must pay, except those who are enrolled in programs such as GoPass which is for K-12 and community college students, and they ride free.
“Then there is another program LIFE (Low Income Fair Easy) for low-income people who have applied, and which offers them 90 days of free trips and from the fourth month when they have completed 20 trips, they begin to pay.
Mitteen specified that the Metro system is intended to be used for what it is, transporting people to school, work, home, or wherever they need to go.
“Those who do not pay commit a violation of the Metro code of conduct.”
He said that in order for all Metro travelers to pay their fare, starting Tuesday, May 29, a pilot program will be launched for 90 days at the North Hollywood Metro station that will make all people have to Pass your TAP payment card through the train access machines when leaving.
“Depending on the results, this method could be extended to the entire El Metro system. In our surveys, the community has said that they want more control over transportation.”
He mentioned that there will also be Metro security agents to verify that people pay their fare, and those who cannot, will be guided to the programs for students or low-income that exempt them from paying.
“We also have Metro ambassadors (they wear bright green t-shirts) and outreach groups, which focus on helping people who are homeless, or those who are observed to have a mental illness, and offer them resources.”
The Metro spokesperson asked people to report any observation of any irregularity, and to do so she recommended the use of the application Transit Watch; or simply approach the operator or call 911 if it is an emergency.
Greater responsibility
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who serves as vice chair of the Metro Board, said after the Metro Board of Directors voted this Thursday, May 23, to increase the deployment of public safety personnel in the transit system. Metro and direct authorities to be physically present on buses and trains that we have a responsibility to each of our passengers and employees to make Metro safe.
“Part of the solution must be to increase the visibility and presence of law enforcement in Metro. “We need them to ride our buses and trains.”
He said in a statement that it is of no use to passengers if officers remain in their patrol cars.
“The violence against our passengers in recent days and weeks demands a strong response: an increased police presence on Metro buses and trains and a unified command of all three police agencies.”