Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
How Safe is Our Transit System? Metro Releases Detailed Crime Statistics
Photo by Open Air Control Testing Ground via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
The stabbing death of Jesse Garay aboard a Red Line subway train last month was the first killing on the rail system since it opened in 1993. Recently, the victim's mother filed a claim against Metro, accusing the transit system of lacking adequate safety. Now Metro has opted to release detailed crime statistics for the first time, reports The Source.
The Source's Steve Hymon summarizes both sides of the safety coin succinctly as follows:
The good news: crime is very low on the Metro system — certainly lower than in many surrounding communities. Over the past five years, the number of the most serious crimes has gone down and the number of arrests and citations issued is up. The bad news: the Metro system is not crime-free and it’s not immune to some of the ills of the cities that it serves. That’s just the unfortunate reality.
Suggestions for lowering your risk of being a victim of theft at a Metro station or on a bus or train include concealing your valuables on your person or, if you park your car in a Metro lot, in your trunk.
“Your chances of being a victim of violent crime on the transit system are incredibly low,” said Commander Patrick J. Jordan in a discussion with Hymon.
The Source has published various charts released by Metro showing crime statistics by line and month, as well as other relevant data.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
