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Metro May Look At Shifting Away From Armed Cops On Trains, Buses
Los Angeles Police Department officers patrol an L (Gold) Line station in this file photo. (Courtesy L.A. Metro)
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The LA Metro may try to figure out a way to stop using armed law enforcement officers on its trains and buses.
Several Metro board members are introducing a motion that would set up a special committee to work out ways to use social workers, mental health professionals and unarmed "transit ambassadors" to deal with non-violent crimes and code of conduct violations.
"We hear routinely from young people, particularly young people of color, that they feel that they are treated differently on the system," said L.A. City Councilman and Metro Board member Mike Bonin, who co-authored the motion.
Metro's Operations, Safety, and Customer Experience Committee is expected to take up the motion on Friday. Meanwhile, today the committee voted to call for a report on the use of force policies of the four public law enforcement departments and one private security agency that patrol the transit system.
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