Title
Light Rail Security Update
Description
This report provides an update to the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee on Light Rail Security.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The City of Phoenix and Valley Metro are committed to delivering safe, reliable, high-quality transit experiences for customers. The priority is keeping customers safe by maintaining the continuous presence of security across the light rail system and collaborating with city partners, contractors, and community resources. Attachment A is a memo from Valley Metro outlining actions taken since the last update to the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee in June 2024 to improve light rail system security.
Working with internal and external partners, the Phoenix Police Department’s Transit Unit addresses quality of life concerns directly involving public transportation. The Transit Unit is responsible for conducting patrols and enforcement operations at transit centers, including light rail platforms, bus shelters, park-and-ride facilities, light rail vehicles, and buses.
Through its security contractor, Allied Universal Security, Valley Metro conducts fare inspections, utilizing a group of field security team members. The Transit Unit supports the efforts of the field security team through the Enhanced Light Rail Security Plan. The Enhanced Light Rail Security Plan aims to improve the ridership culture through a tiered approach focused on education, civil enforcement, and law enforcement interdiction. Working alongside the field security team members, the Transit Unit provides an additional layer of security that increases the effectiveness of safety efforts on the Light Rail system.
Transit Unit Staffing and Programs Overview
The Transit Unit reviews and investigates criminal cases related to public transportation, assumes disposition on transit-related calls for service, and provides investigative and technical support to patrol and investigative bureaus within the Phoenix Police Department.
Utilizing four enforcement squads, the Transit Unit conducts daily operations at transit centers that experience a high volume of criminal activity. Thirteen detectives and twenty-four police assistants are assigned to the four squads, which cover two work shifts.
Currently, the Phoenix Police Transit Unit has 57 positions, which are a combination of sworn and civilian employees. The Unit includes the following:
- One Commander
- One Lieutenant
- Six Sergeants
- One Administrative Assistant
- 13 Detectives
- Three Explosive Detection Canine Officers
- 28 Police Assistants
- Four Municipal Security Guards
Transit Unit Overview
For the 2024 calendar year, Transit Unit detectives have completed 1,437 criminal investigative reports, resulting in 1,766 arrests. With a 97 percent clearance rate for all criminal cases retained by the Transit Unit, detectives have submitted 4,596 criminal charges for prosecution.
Transit Unit Explosive Detection Canine Teams
The Transit Unit’s Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) Team actively partners with the Transportation Security Administration. Responsible for responding to calls for service and assisting federal and local law enforcement partners with specific needs, the EDC Team deters crime through high visibility along the light rail corridor.
Composed of one police supervisor, three Explosive Detection Canine Handlers, and three canines, the EDC Team conducts patrols at downtown events and at or near light rail platforms. For the 2024 calendar year, the EDC Team supported 94 special events in the Downtown District, including professional sporting events and national concert tours. This specific service totaled 2,590 staff hours.
Enhanced Light Rail Security Plan
In coordination with Valley Metro and their security contractor, the Transit Unit began supporting the Enhanced Light Rail Security Plan on September 4, 2023. While providing a public safety presence and assisting field security team members with trespassing violations, the Transit Unit also conducts enforcement in aggravated situations. Enhanced Light Rail Security Plan operations are conducted twice a week along the light rail corridor, and the locations of operation are determined through trends and community concerns.
Since implementing the Enhanced Light Rail Security Plan, the Transit Unit has assisted field security team members with inspecting 906 trains and contacting 34,581 passengers. To date, 864 fares have been recovered, and 3,280 civil citations have been issued. Participating in the Enhanced Light Rail Security Plan, the Transit Unit has issued 2,281 trespassing warnings and made 803 arrests for criminal violations.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
Collaborating with other City departments and the community, the Transit Unit offers and provides support to various community groups, including multiple Community Safety Plan Committees sponsored by the city. Working with these groups, the Transit Unit is integral to addressing criminal activity impacting high-volume transit centers, including the light rail corridor.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Police Department and City Manager's Office.