TITLE
Recommendation to formally support the proposal by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to enter into a contract with the Long Beach Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department to perform security and safety services on the Metro Blue Line.
DISCUSSION
Metro provides invaluable transportation services throughout Los Angeles County, including the City of Long Beach. The Blue Line connects Downtown Long Beach with Downtown Los Angeles, and cities in between, with transit options that relieve congestion on our roads and air pollution.
Safety issues have been one of the top concerns made by residents about the Blue Line. The Los Angeles Times recently reported that a survey showed that 29 percent of former Metro riders stated they stopped riding because they felt unsafe; one in 14 passengers in a separate survey stated they had been groped or touched inappropriately.
In an effort to improve safety and ridership, Metro staff has proposed entering into contracts with LBPD and LAPD to partially replace the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and to increase law enforcement personnel on Metro from a range of 140 to 200 deputies to 240 officers and deputies in each 24-hour period.
Response times in Long Beach would improve from 12 to 14 minutes to less than 5 minutes. While improving safety, this would also save Metro $20 million per year. This local policing approach is necessary to improve the overall safety and reliability of Metro services.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding would be provided by Metro to cover the costs and increase the Long Beach Police Department's staffing.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AL AUSTIN
COUNCILMAN, EIGHTH DISTRICT
LENA GONZALEZ
COUNCILWOMAN, FIRST DISTRICT
DEE ANDREWS
COUNCILMAN, SIXTH DISTRICT
ROBERTO URANGA
COUNCILMEMBER, SEVENTH DISTRICT