Public Safety Advisory Committee

Metro is continuously working to improve our transportation system and every trip experience for our riders. We are committed to ensuring that we are using safety and law enforcement practices that keep Metro safe for everyone.

Metro is establishing a transit Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC), which will work to review, comment and provide input on how the agency can re-imagine public safety on its system.

Purpose and Role

The PSAC will work with Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement, Office of Civil Rights, Office for Equity and Race and the Executive Officer for Customer Experience in developing a community-based approach to public safety on the transit system. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Developing a mission and values statement for transit policing.
• Developing a transit ambassador program that provides staff presence at Metro facilities and on Metro vehicles.
• Identifying alternatives to armed law enforcement response to nonviolent crimes and code of conduct violations.
• Enhancing greater community stewardship of transit spaces.
• The Universal Blue Light program proposed in Metro’s June 2018 ridership initiatives.
• Education about and expansion of Metro fare discount programs.
• Outreach and services for unhoused individuals.
• Provide input on the new scope of services, budget and other provisions of the multiagency police contract renewal.
• Review Metro’s Customer Code of Conduct.
• A shift of resources from armed law enforcement to the above strategies.

PSAC Membership

On October 19 ^th , 2020, Metro launched its external application process to seek (15) fifteen community members and (3) three alternates to join the PSAC. During the four-week application period, we received over 380 applications. Staff also initiated an internal application process to seek (3) three ex-officio employee members and (2) two alternates. The three seats are designated for Metro employees who have experience with public engagement or providing face-to-face customer experience on Metro’s system. A smaller pool of nine applications was received.

Metro developed a multi-layered evaluation process, inclusive of a blind screening review and virtual interviews. The evaluation process was a three-month effort in collaboration with members of the Internal Steering Committee. Staff was committed to ensuring membership consisted of a diverse group of people’s experiences and perspectives and best reflected the diversity of demographics that make up our ridership.  Our community member and alternate representation are 61% female, 67% are either Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx or Asian/Pacific Islander, 67% are between 25-39 years of age, 72% renters, 50% have an annual income of $60,000 or less, 17% are persons with disabilities, and 22% are either bisexual or gay/lesbian. The selection of PSAC members was finalized the week of February 22 ^nd, 2021.

Current PSAC Members & Alternates

15 Community Members

• Ashley Ajayi, aspiring filmmaker who believes in cultural film production as a way to prioritize marginalized communities and advance racial justice
• Florence Annang, co-chair of Pasadena’s Organizing Progress, executive member of the NAACP Pasadena Branch, founder of Thrive Learning Lab NW Pasadena Afterschool and Summer Camp TK - 7th grade
• Clarence Davis, public transit rider and member of the inner-city church community who has worked on various community advancement programs
• Scarlett De Leon, organizing and campaign manager at the Alliance for Community Transit focused on low-wage industry workers, immigration and accessible housing issues
• Maricela De Rivera, director and co-founder of Long Beach Breastfeeds, recently appointed to the Long Beach Unified School District’s Equity Leadership Team to develop an equity policy and evaluate all policies through an equity lens
• Esteban Garcia, Walnut Park native who seeks to utilize his master’s degree in Planning, Growth and Regeneration to help implement a safe, transit-accessible culture in LA
• Mechell Graham, US Air Force veteran, registered nurse for 16 years. She and her husband chose to give up one car to rely more on public transportation
• Darryl Goodus, vice president of Adult Programs for Villa Esperanza Services in Pasadena who has worked with children, adults and seniors with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and mental illnesses
• Sabrina Howard, researcher at the Institute of the Future that works to promote more equitable outcomes for marginalized communities
• Carrie Madden, civil rights advocate who works with seniors and people with disabilities to improve their accessibility to transportation
• Chauncee Smith, manages Advancement Project California’s Race Counts platform, a research and policy analysis initiative that empowers community partners and policy makers to advance racial and economic equity public policies
• Constance Strickland, public transit rider and creative director of Theatre Roscius
• Mohammad Tajsar, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Southern California who works on police misconduct, government surveillance, and protecting individuals' and organizations' rights in the digital domain
• Andrea Urmanita, public transit rider and architect in the design and construction of multifamily housing in LA
• James Wen, homelessness committee chair for the LA Transgender Advisory Council

3 Community Member Alternates
Ma'ayan Dembo
Charles Hammerstein
Jessica Kellogg

3 Ex-Officio Employee Members
Glenda Murrell, Train Operator
Jose Raigoza, Transit Operations Supervisor
Ron Rodney, Bus Operator

2 Ex-Officio Employee Alternates
Fabian Gallardo, Principal Transportation Planner
Raul Gomez, Train Operator

Why is Metro pursuing a Transit Policing Safety Committee?

Following the George Floyd protests earlier this year, the Metro Board of Directors sought recommendations from Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement Department on ways to reform the agency’s policing practices as well as reallocating resources typically devoted to policing to other forms of community safety. Metro is now re-evaluating its safety strategies to ensure it is meeting the needs and expectations of transit riders.

As part of this effort, Metro will work in partnership with community leaders to re-envision transit safety and community-based approaches to policing as it considers the renewal of its multiagency law enforcement police contract in 2022. The establishment of a Transit Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) will give Metro the opportunity to consult with key law enforcement and related community members to develop a more accountable culture of policing for its upcoming police contract.

What will the advisory committee be expected to do?

The advisory committee would incorporate Metro’s existing Community Safety and Security Working Group and provide additional perspectives from ridership and advocacy organizations in the areas of race, gender, income, geography, immigration and housing. The ultimate goal is to create a community-based approach to safety.  The PSAC will advise Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement, Office of Civil Rights, Executive Officer for Equity and Race, and Executive Officer for Customer Experience on creating a community-based approach to public safety on the transit system. Areas of interest include:

• Developing a transit ambassador program that provides staffed presence at Metro facilities and on Metro vehicles.
• Identifying alternatives to armed law enforcement response to nonviolent crimes and code of conduct violations.
• Enhancing greater community stewardship of transit spaces including stops and station plazas.
• Education/expansion of Metro fare discount programs.
• Outreach and services for unhoused individuals.
• Input on the scope of services, budget, and other provisions of the multiagency police contract renewal.
• Review Metro’s Customer Code of Conduct.
• A shift of resources from armed law enforcement to the above strategies.

How many members is Metro looking to form this new committee and how long will they be needed?

Metro is seeking 15 community members and three alternates. In addition, three non-voting (ex-officio) members will represent Metro bus operators and maintenance/cleaning. Applicants should plan to be committed to participate in the committee until June 2022.

Who can be a member?

Committee membership is voluntary. Community members should be non-Metro employees that:

• Regularly ride Metro buses or trains.
• Are committed to ensuring that Metro follows best practices for providing transportation that is safe and feels safe for its customers.
• Bring relevant knowledge and expertise as a resident, advocate for racial justice and/or public safety reform, law enforcement expert, mental health provider or expert, or social services provider or expert.

What other Metro departments are involved in this effort?

Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement Department will engage Metro’s Office of Civil Rights, Office of Equity and Race and its Office of Customer Experience to develop this new community-based approach.

Where does Metro stand in regard to racial justice issues?

Metro believes in liberty and justice for all, and stands against systematic racism and senseless violence in all forms. We concurred with and understand those who protested for racial justice and equality and against police brutality earlier this year. Metro’s programs greatly reinforce this agenda, including our Board-adopted Equity Program and Women and Girls Governing Council. Metro has also established an Office of Civil Rights as well as an Office of Equity and Race to help ensure our system supports the rights of all our transit riders.

How will Metro be soliciting candidates for the Transit Public Safety Advisory Committee?

Metro will use its robust community relations and public relations capabilities to strategically recruit participants to its new committee. It will distribute emails, newsletters, virtual meetings and webinars, social media ads, blog posts and press releases to aid in its recruitment efforts.

How much time will be required of committee members?

Exact meeting times and dates will be finalized once the committee is established. However, Metro anticipates that meetings will occur twice per month. Meetings will take place virtually and most likely will be scheduled in the late afternoon or early evening. Metro anticipates that this will require a time commitment of at least 4 hours per month.

What exactly is Metro looking for in selecting committee members?

Metro is looking for individuals who regularly ride the Metro System, have knowledge and expertise as advocates for racial justice, equitable transportation and/or public safety reform, law enforcement experts, mental health providers or experts and/or social service providers.

How will members be selected?

Applications will be reviewed by the Chief System Security and Law Enforcement Officer, Chief Civil Rights Officer, Executive Officer for Equity and Race, Executive Officer for Customer Experience, Chief Communications Officer and Chief of Staff. A separate application process will be used to select three non-voting (ex-officio) Metro employees representing Metro bus operators and maintenance/cleaning.

What is the deadline for receiving community applications for this committee?

The application period is Oct. 19 – Nov. 13, 2020. All applications should be submitted by the close of business on Nov. 13, 2020.

How can I get more information?

Interested community stakeholders can get the latest updates here online. You can also call our PSAC information line at 213.922.4866.

Metro will host two virtual information sessions on October 28 and November 5, 2020. Please check back here at metro.net/psac for more information on how to participate.

How can someone apply?

The membership application period is Oct. 19 – Nov. 13, 2020. Completed applications received during this period will be reviewed by a multi-departmental review panel at Metro.

• Download Membership Application.
• Pick up and drop off an application at any Metro Customer Center during temporary business hours.

How can I submit a completed application?

• Online: Complete and submit the application here.
• Email: psac@metro.net
• Mail: LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Attn: Public Safety Committee, 25th Floor. One Gateway Plaza. Los Angeles, CA 90012.
• In person: Any Metro Customer Center during temporary business hours.

When will applicants be notified if their application has been received and if they have been accepted as a member?

Applicants will receive a confirmation once we’ve received their application. Applicants will be notified if they’ve been selected as a committee member no later than December 31, 2020.