SANTA MONICA, Calif. (September 3, 2024) – The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has launched its TAP-to-Exit Program at the downtown Santa Monica E Line station, expanding the initiative following a successful pilot at the North Hollywood station. This new effort is aimed at enhancing security, reducing fare evasion, and improving the overall safety of the transit environment for all riders.
Santa Monica was chosen as the first location for this expansion due to the city's ongoing collaboration with Los Angeles County and Metro, focusing on improving public safety and addressing the challenges posed by unauthorized train riders in the downtown area. Santa Monica Vice Mayor Lana Negrete was present at the station to observe the program’s kickoff. She engaged directly with the deputies on site and shadowed them during their sweeps through the trains, reminding riders that they had reached the end of the line and needed to exit.
Metro has deployed a range of personnel to support the new program, including Metro Ambassadors, the Metro Outreach Team, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Mental Evaluation Team (LASD MET). These teams were on-site today, offering outreach and assistance to passengers. The LASD MET, consisting of a deputy sheriff and a licensed mental health clinician, specializes in crisis assessment, intervention, and targeted case management. They are trained to defuse potentially violent situations and can initiate involuntary psychiatric hospitalization for individuals in crisis under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS). The goal of this co-response model is to reduce the use of force, minimize unnecessary hospitalizations, and avoid incarcerations of severely mentally ill individuals. The team also provides in-service training on de-escalation techniques, crisis negotiations, and managing mental health incidents.
Metro Ambassadors play a vital role in supporting riders by connecting them to resources, reporting maintenance and safety concerns, and ensuring a welcoming atmosphere across the Metro network. They are part of a broader safety plan that includes law enforcement, homeless outreach workers, mental health support teams, and cleaning crews. Additionally, Metro's Homeless Outreach Teams engage with unhoused riders, providing them with support and linking them to appropriate resources.
The TAP-to-Exit pilot program at the North Hollywood station demonstrated significant success, with a 40% decrease in incidents such as fights, drug use, and graffiti. Surveys from that pilot showed that 91% of riders felt the station was cleaner, and 86% felt safer. The expansion of this program to Santa Monica aims to build on these positive results.
As the program begins, Metro will focus on educating riders about the new requirements during the first week. Starting September 10, passengers who fail to pay their fare may face citations and fines. Santa Monica Police Chief Ramón Batista emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, "Metro programs like TAP-to-Exit, combined with the efforts of our officers, are crucial for achieving a safer community."
The program's rollout also includes increased security measures, with Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies and Metro Armed Security conducting comprehensive sweeps of the station. Deputies play a dual role in enforcing fare compliance and maintaining public safety while also providing outreach to passengers. These efforts are part of a larger strategy to deter criminal behavior, reassure commuters, and restore confidence in the Metro system.
Los Angeles County Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath noted, “Expanding the TAP-to-Exit program to the Downtown Santa Monica E Line Station is an additional way Metro is improving customer experience and safety. We encourage everyone to use public transit and benefit from these enhancements.”
Passengers are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any security concerns through Metro’s Transit Watch app or by contacting Metro security directly at 888.950.7233. For emergencies, they should dial 9-1-1.
The new TAP-to-Exit Program, along with the presence of Metro Ambassadors, outreach teams, and enhanced law enforcement, underscores Metro's commitment to ensuring a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for all transit users while promoting sustainable public transportation options in Santa Monica.
No comments:
Post a Comment