The transit agency’s Board of Directors in Los Angeles has declared a public safety emergency following a series of violent attacks on bus drivers and the tragic death of a woman on the Metro B (Red) Line. In response to the increased severity of assaults on operators, the board has agreed to procure safety barriers for bus drivers and implement other safety measures on the system.
The recommendation to acquire barriers for hundreds of buses was unanimously adopted by the board in light of the escalating number of assaults on bus operators. The assaults have risen from 92 attacks in 2019 to 160 in 2023, with a continued increase this year.
Board member Kathryn Barger introduced a motion, supported by several colleagues, to explore solutions to enhance public safety. This motion was prompted by the recent death of Mirna Soza Arauz, who was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack.
The board also called for additional security measures such as increasing security cameras, implementing facial recognition technology, and exploring ways to ban problematic individuals from the Metro system. The agency will also analyze data on violent crimes occurring on the system, including those committed by reoffenders.
While there was general agreement on the importance of improving Metro’s safety, there were differing opinions on the best approach to achieve this goal. Discussions included critiques of policing contracts with various law enforcement agencies and the importance of considering the broader context of public safety measures.
The Board of Directors is set to review potential public safety measures within the next 60 days.
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