Mayor Eric Garcetti Rides Metro Tuesday Morning Despite Terrorist Threat

Security remains stepped up across the Metro system after the FBI announced yesterday that it had received a warning about a plot to blow up a Metro station on Tuesday.

"This could be real, it could be a hoax," Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said at a press conference held Monday evening with the LAPD and FBI. "We're asking the public to stay calm and vigilant."

According to the L.A. Times, the warning was called in to a tip line run by a foreign government, and specifically said there was a plot to blow up a device at the Universal City Red Line station on Tuesday. Because of the specific nature and imminent nature of of the threat, officials decided to act quickly on it. "This one we had to move quickly on," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

According to KPCC, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Deirdre Fike said it's likely that officials will eventually be able to determine that the threat was non-credible.

The Sheriff's Department, which handles policing for Metro, will have an increased presence across the system including K-9 and undercover units, according to Sheriff McDonnell. Mayor Eric Garcetti said riders should also expect random bag searches.

Garcetti also said that Angelenos "should go about their normal day" on Tuesday, and rode the Red Line from Universal City to the Wilshire/Vermont station on Tuesday morning.

Officials are encouraging riders that if they "see something, say something" by either calling the Transit Watch Hotline at (888) 950-SAFE (7233) and by downloading the iWatchLA app to report any suspicious activity.