LA Metro is safer than its been in years and its no accident

Opinion pieces have an important role in shaping public debate.But that debate should be grounded in facts.Safety is not a new priority for Metro.

Since Stephanie Wiggins was named CEO five years ago, Metro has recognized that public safety must be the foundation of providing reliable public transportation.As such, safety has been at the center of every major operational decision.

That commitment has driven significant investments in personnel, infrastructure, technology, outreach and enforcement. We also understand that statistics alone do not define a rider’s experience.Every customer deserves to feel safe every time he or she boards a train or bus.Even one incident is one too many.

That is why Metro continues to invest aggressively in improving safety throughout the system while measuring our progress transparently.A recent op-ed in The California Post by Christopher F.Rufo and Haley Strack of the Manhattan Institute overlooks the substantial work Metro has undertaken to make the system safer and the measurable progress that effort has produced.

Metro has invested millions of dollars in strengthening fare compliance through new fare gates that are significantly more difficult to evade, expanded fare inspections, TAP-to-Exit technology and station redesigns that improve access control.Fare enforcement remains an important component of our safety strategy — not because fares alone determine safety, but because secure stations help create an environment where riders and employees feel protected.The results are real.Violent crime declined 6.7% in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of reductions.

Crimes against society fell by 33%.Stations equipped with new taller fare gates have experienced a 69% reduction in rider and Transit Ambassador-reported incidents related to security concerns, vandalism/graffiti and cleanliness.

At stations where TAP-to-Exit has been implemented, security-related reports submitted have declined by 40%.These improvements are...