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.
New bill would let cities tap federal dollars for new officers, public safety upgrades
Police officers at the 7th Street/Metro Center stop.
(
Samanta Helou Hernandez
/
LAist
)
Listen
5:07
Rep Laura Friedman Public Transit Bill
Los Angeles Congressmember Laura Friedman previews the bipartisan "Safe and Affordable Transit Act" that she's introducing today. It would set aside federal funds so local jurisdictions can hire more officers to police transit stations.
Topline:
Rep. Laura Friedman is unveiling a new bipartisan bill that would let local jurisdictions use federal funds to hire more officers to patrol transit stations.
Why it matters: Friedman said the "Safe and Affordable Transit Act" would be the first federal program to put money directly into making public transit safer. " That means paying for police officers, paying for physical infrastructure like cameras and shields and visibility, improvements with an eye towards getting people more comfortable riding transit," she told LAist's Morning Edition.
Why now: Friedman, a Democrat who represents the 30th District, cited a recent study at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority that shows serious crime fell by 43% between June 2024 and June 2025 — and that riders reported feeling noticeably safer — after the deployment of officers riding trains.
Not just more cops: Friedman said federal funding won't only be available for hiring officers, but can also go toward technology upgrades, like "tap-to-exit" in Los Angeles. "It's up to the transit agencies to decide, as long as it is safety focused in some way," she added. "We're trying to make the program flexible enough that different transit agencies can use it in the way that they know will be most additive for their system."
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
