Bass said.
Graham elaborated on Metro’s public safety strategy, which includes law enforcement as well as unarmed ambassadors offering assistance and response services. The agency has increased investment in a care-based approach, but there is ongoing debate between reducing police presence and increasing law enforcement. The focus on public safety is seen as essential due to issues like homelessness, drug addiction, and mental illness affecting the transit system. While crime against persons has decreased, overall system-wide crimes have increased in recent years, leading to calls for improved communication and enforcement measures.
One of the main reasons for this increase is the rise in crimes against society, such as narcotics and trespassing.
According to Metro reports, overall system-wide crimes from April 2023 to March 2024 saw a 78 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
Ridership has been on the rise as well, bouncing back from historic lows during the pandemic to nearly one million riders per day in April.
Ms. Wiggins highlighted that April marks the 17th consecutive month of year-over-year ridership growth.
She emphasized the importance of not only having a safe system but also ensuring that it feels safe for all riders.
