During a public safety hearing at L.A. City Hall on Thursday, an L.A. Metro official revealed that 97% of the people recently arrested for violent crimes on the Metro system did not have evidence of a fare or a TAP card.
The official also revealed that 94% of the people arrested did not have evidence of a TAP and that out of the 32 arrests made by LAPD on the Metro system last week, 31 did not have a TAP card.
In that same meeting, Robert Gummer, who is in charge of safety and security on the Metro, admitted a significant number of homeless people regularly ride buses during the day.
“Particularly on the G line but other lines as well,” he said.
During the meeting, L.A. Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who is also the chair of the L.A.’s Public Safety Committee, revealed she took the Metro bus and described what she saw.
“Without LAPD, unannounced from Pacoima to the North Hollywood station down to the Civic Center, I personally went and looked in every cab,” she said. “So many people laid out asleep, slumped over. Didn't seem to strike a lot of confidence in me.”
Although Metro officials acknowledged employing over 345 ambassadors, KNX News’ Craig Fiegener reported that they couldn't explain if they were dealing with fare evaders.
This comes on the heels of ongoing violence on the Metro system.
The most recent attacks occurred on Monday - first, a bus driver was attacked on Spring St.. Hours later, a man was stabbed at a Metro stop at West Olympic Blvd. and South La Brea Ave.
Mayor Karen told KNX News in an exclusive interview that while there is a “spike” in violence on the Metro, it happens.
“I do think people should keep into perspective that this is a spike, and spikes happen,” she said. “If you look at the overall year, it has been a much better year, and ridership is up almost to pre-pandemic levels. But there are times in the year when crime spikes and this is what we're experiencing right now.”
Earlier this month, Bass ordered an “immediate surge” of police presence on the Metro.
This week, Metro launched the new ‘TAP to exit’ pilot program at the North Hollywood B Line Station.
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