Sheriff's Deputies and Security Conduct Metro Sweep in Santa Monica: Multiple Citations Issued

Santa Monica, June 4, 2024: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies and Metro Armed Security conducted a comprehensive sweep of the Metro train system today, with a special focus on the downtown Santa Monica Station. This daily operation aims to ensure passenger welfare and uphold public safety standards.

Metro Security checked passengers' tap cards to verify fare payment. Several passengers who had not paid the fare were issued $75 citations.

During the sweep, a Sheriff's Deputy and his K9 partner walked through the metro searching for explosives. The K9, trained to detect high explosives, can identify body-worn explosives and concealed firearms from a distance of around 50 yards.

An abandoned electric bicycle was discovered on board the train by security. The Deputy checked the serial number to see if the bike was reported stolen. It was not listed as stolen. Metro Security placed the bike into the lost and found area.

At the downtown Santa Monica Station, Metro Ambassadors, the Metro Outreach Team, and The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Mental Evaluation Team (LASD MET) were present, offering outreach and assistance to riders.

The LASD MET provides crisis assessment, intervention, and targeted case management services to diffuse potentially violent situations. They prepare documentation to assist in the placement of persons with mental illness in acute inpatient psychiatric facilities or to link them to outpatient mental health services or appropriate community resources. Each team consists of a deputy sheriff and a DMH licensed mental health clinician who is Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS) designated to initiate involuntary acute psychiatric hospitalization, in accordance with the Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC), section 5150 or 5585. The goal of this co-response model is to reduce use-of-force incidents, hospitalizations, and unnecessary incarcerations of severely mentally ill individuals. LASD MET also provides in-service training for de-escalation, crisis negotiations, and reducing incarceration of mentally ill consumers.

Metro Ambassadors support riders on Metro buses, trains, and stations, connecting them to resources and reporting maintenance and safety concerns. They are part of a multilayer plan to improve public safety, which includes security and law enforcement, homeless and mental health outreach workers, and cleaning crews.

Metro Homeless Outreach Teams engage with unhoused riders on buses, trains, and stations, connecting them to resources. These teams are also part of the multilayer safety improvement plan.

The downtown Santa Monica Station serves as the terminal stop for the Metro line, making it a crucial point for authorities to ensure all passengers exit the train upon reaching its final destination and re-tap to continue on the train. This measure addresses reports of some unhoused individuals using the train as a makeshift shelter, remaining on board for extended periods and even sleeping onboard.

Sheriff's Deputies and Metro Security stationed at the downtown Santa Monica Station combine security duties with passenger welfare checks. Their responsibilities include monitoring trains and platforms, enforcing the code of conduct, tackling fare evasion, and upholding the rule of law to ensure safety and security for all passengers.

The increased law enforcement presence at the station is part of a broader effort to address concerns related to criminal activity, instill a sense of safety among commuters, and ultimately restore confidence in the Metro system. This proactive approach is designed to deter criminal behavior and encourage ridership without fear.

Authorities urge passengers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or unsafe situations promptly. In emergencies, passengers should dial 9-1-1. For non-emergency security concerns, passengers can reach security personnel at 888.950.7233. Additionally, passengers can use the train intercom or station intercoms, marked by red signs on station platforms, to alert Metro staff to any incidents.

The heightened security measures underscore the commitment of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies to ensure a safe and secure travel experience for all Metro passengers, with a renewed focus on the downtown Santa Monica Station as a key point in the transit system.

E Line service hours are from approximately 4:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. daily. Trains operate every 8 minutes during peak hours, Monday to Friday. During midday on weekdays and weekends, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., trains run every 10 minutes. Night and early morning service is approximately every 20 minutes daily.

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