Public Safety Advisory Committee

Metro is committed to using safety and law enforcement practices that keep Metro safe for everyone. The transit Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) reviews and gives input on the agency’s reimagining of public safety on Metro.

Passengers boarding Metro bus wearing protective masks.

Our Commitment

PSAC will work with Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement, Office of the CEO, Office of Civil Rights, Office for Equity and Race, Communications Department and Office of Customer Experience to develop a community-based approach to public safety on the transit system.

Purpose and role

The PSAC will work with Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement, Office of the CEO, Office of Civil Rights, Office for Equity and Race, Communications Department and Office of 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.

Committee membership

On October 19, 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, 2021.

Get Involved

Upcoming Meetings
All PSAC Meetings

Committee Members

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
  • Ma’ayan Dembo, public transit rider and urban planner at a transit technology company in Downtown LA
  • 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
  • Darryl Goodus works with children, adults and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Pasadena and throughout LA County for the past 19 years.
  • 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

Community Member Alternates

Charles Hammerstein
Jessica Kellogg

Ex-Officio Employee Members

Fabian Gallardo, Principal Transportation Planner

Glenda Murrell, Train Operator

Jose Raigoza, Transit Operations Supervisor

Ex-Officio Employee Alternates

Raul Gomez, Train Operator

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Metro pursuing a Transit Policing Safety Committee?

Following the George Floyd protests in 2020, 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 is the advisory committee expected to do?

The advisory committee incorporates Metro’s existing Community Safety and Security Working Group and provides 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 advises Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement, Office of the CEO, Office of Civil Rights, Executive Officer for Equity and Race, Communications Department and Office of 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.

What other Metro departments are involved in this effort?

Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement Department engaged Metro’s Office of the CEO, Office of Civil Rights, Office of Equity and Race, Office of Customer Experience, Communications Department and the Inspector General to develop this new community-based approach.

Where does Metro stand regarding 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. 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 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.

How were members selected?

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

How can I get more information?

Interested community stakeholders can get the latest updates here on metro.net/psac or may email psac@metro.net for more information.

How can someone apply?

The application period is now closed. At this time, Metro is not accepting applications.

Where will the meetings be held?

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meetings will be held in a virtual environment via Zoom, until further notice.

How can I request accommodation?

Please send your request to psac@metro.net for accommodations. All requests for reasonable accommodations, interpretation services and materials in other languages must be made at least three working days (72 hours) in advance of the scheduled meeting date.

How can I submit my public comment?

Submit your comments by 5pm the day prior:

  • Via email: psac@metro.net
  • By mail: Public Safety Advisory Committee, One Gateway Plaza, MS: 99-25-1, Los Angeles, CA 90012

These comments will be read by the moderator during the meeting.

Please include the meeting date and agenda item number in your correspondence. Comments received via mail or email will be read for up to one minute per person, per item. Public comment will be taken after each agenda item for a maximum of one-minute per comment. Comments on non-agenda items but within the subject matter jurisdiction of the PSAC will be heard at the end of agenda for a maximum of one-minute per comment.

Documents

Past Meetings

For general questions:  

Email: PSAC@metro.net 

Call: 213.922.4866

Or use our Comment Form

Mailing Address

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro PSAC
One Gateway Plaza
Mail Stop: 99-25-1
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952

Metro LEP information graphic including phone numbers (323-466-3876, ext 2) in various languages.

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