Title
Light Rail Security Update
Description
This report provides the 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 continuous presence of security across the 28-mile light rail system and collaborating with city partners, contractors, and community resources.
Valley Metro, through its security contractor, Allied Universal, conducts fare inspections via a team of field security team members. These field security team members are tasked with customer experience and engagement, responding to security incidents, coordinating with local law enforcement, reinforcing the Code of Conduct via education and civil code enforcement, and serving as a visible presence on the light rail system during daily operations and special events.
Allied Universal Contracted Staffing Overview
Currently, Allied Universal has 114 positions allocated to performing the above mentioned responsibilities and tasks.
- 110 Full-time Field Security Officers
- Four Part-time Field Security Officers
Additionally, Phoenix Police's Transit Unit has developed public safety plans to address the quality of life concerns directly involving public transportation.
Transit Unit Staffing and Programs Overview
Currently, the Phoenix Police Transit Unit has 55 positions which are a combination of sworn and civilian. The unit includes the following:
- One Commander
- One Lieutenant
- Five Sergeants
- One Administrative Assistant
- 10 Detectives
- Four Explosive Detection Canine Officers
- 28 Police Assistants
- Five Municipal Security Guards
The Transit Unit has an Extra Duty Public Safety Program, which staffs supplement public safety resources to specifically address Light Rail safety. From January 2023 to July 2023, the Transit Unit staffed 51 shifts that patrolled the area along the Light Rail corridor for 1,044 hours that resulted in 69 arrests. When fully staffed, the Extra Duty Public Safety Team consists of one Police Supervisor, four Police Officers, and two Police Assistants. Due to volunteer staffing, 177 of the available 362 positions were filled for a rate of 48 percent.
The Transit Unit has been an integral component of the 19th Avenue Community Safety Action Plan and implemented a 19th Avenue Corridor Community Response plan to focus the Unit’s efforts. From January 2023 to July 2023, the Transit Unit has made 220 arrests from Camelback to Dunlap at transit facilities between Light Rail vehicles, Light Rail platforms, adjacent bus stops and Park and Rides.
The Transit Unit’s Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) Team patrols the Light Rail trains and platforms to increase visibility and deter crime. The EDC Team is composed of one Police Supervisor, three Explosive Detection Canine Handlers and three canines. From January 2023 to July 2023, the EDC Team supported 61 special events in the Downtown District for various events to include but not limited to professional sports and national concert tours, which accounted for 1,695 staff hours. This does not include time spent working the National Football League’s Super Bowl activities and activations. The EDC Teams during their discretionary available time patrolled the Light Rail alignment and Light Rail platforms for an additional 254 hours.
The Public Transit Department Building Security Team is comprised of four Municipal Security Guards and four Police Assistants. In addition to their building security duties, the employees conduct foot patrols in and around the Downtown Public Transit Hub. From January 2023 to July 2023, the security team has inspected the Light Rail platforms in the Downtown District 1,613 times. During the course of a foot patrol, a Police Assistant saved the life of a person who had overdosed while at the Light Rail Platform on 1st Avenue and Van Buren.
Super Bowl Enhanced Security Program
From Jan. 30, 2023 to Feb. 12, 2023, the Transit Unit implemented their Super Bowl Safety Plan which focused on addressing criminal activity impacting high-volume transit centers that included, but was not limited to, Light Rail vehicles, Light Rail platforms, bus shelters, buses, and Park and Rides. The Unit deployed a hot spot task force during peak ingress and egress periods for special events to address incidents, which could impact the flow of public transportation and to increase visibility to the public. They also provided crowd management assistance in the downtown district to maximize traffic flow with positive results.
The following is a summary of the criminal activity addressed during the operational period:
- Arrests: 97 (65 on-view narcotics arrests)
- Drug Seizures: 795 Fentanyl pills, 38 grams of Methamphetamine and 7 grams of cocaine
- Firearms Recovered: 5
The EDC team facilitated 211 individual bomb sweeps of 41 sites from Feb. 3, 2023 through Feb. 13, 2023, to support Super Bowl operations such as at State Farm Stadium, Footprint Center, the Hance Park Super Bowl Experience and the Convention Center Super Bowl Experience.
Future Enhanced Light Rail Security Operations
In addition to the Transit Unit’s on-going Light Rail public safety support, in coordination with Valley Metro Security, the Transit Unit will be rolling out an Enhanced Light Rail Security Operation beginning Sept. 4, 2023. The objective of the Enhanced Light Rail Security Operation is to work alongside Valley Metro’s security team and strategically provide additional layers of security that increase the effectiveness of safety efforts on the Light Rail system. The scope of this operation is to provide a high-visibility presence along with Valley Metro’s contract security to address criminal activity. The emphasis of the Enhanced Light Rail Security Operation is to improve the ridership culture through a tiered approach focused on education, civil enforcement and then law enforcement interdiction.
The time and location of where Enhanced Light Rail Security Operations will take place will be data-driven and coordinated between Phoenix Police and Valley Metro. The Enhanced Light Rail Security Operational plan is designed to be sustainable using available police resources with an emphasis on maintaining positive community relations. To support the operation, two officers from the Patrol Division will be assigned to the Transit Unit on a six-week temporary assignment. These two officers will be supplemented by a two-officer prisoner transport vehicle, two police assistants and a supervisor.
Phase 1 (Week 1, lasting 4 days)
Two Police Officers supported by two Police Assistants will post at a dual-service light rail platform assisted by four Allied Universal Security (AUS) guards. A dual light rail platform services east and westbound Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs). AUS guards will board the stopped LRV and conduct civil enforcement to ensure fare compliance and adherence to the code of conduct. Patrons who are in violation will be escorted off the train and educated about their code of conduct violations. To help educate light rail users in the initial phase, AUS guards may address fare compliance issues by directing a patron who has violated the fare policy to purchase valid fare at the time of the offense. Police will not participate in fare recovery. If a patron fails to comply with a trespass directive to exit the train, AUS guards will request Police support. Police will detain the subject for the criminal trespass violation. The outcome of the contact will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.
Phase 2 (Weeks 2-3, lasting 8 days)
Two Police Officers supported by two Police Assistants will post at a dual-service light rail platform assisted by four AUS guards. AUS guards will board the stopped LRV and conduct civil enforcement to ensure fare compliance and adherence to the code of conduct. Patrons will be escorted off the train who are in violation and cited by AUS guards for code of conduct violations. AUS guards will request Police support when a patron fails to comply with a trespass directive to exit the train. Police will detain the subject for the criminal trespass violation. The outcome of the contact will be resolved on a case by case basis. If an arrest is made, a two-person transport team will be engaged.
Assessment:
Following Phase 2, the City and Valley Metro will conduct an after-action review to evaluate the effectiveness of the operation. Concurrently, the Transit Unit will continue to provide increased light rail patrols.
Phase 3 (As Operational Needs Permit)
This Phase is focused on the maintenance of the Enhanced Light Rail Security Operation. Going forward, when operational needs permit and resources are available, the Transit Unit will conduct weekly Phase 2 practices of the security plan.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua, and the Police and Public Transit departments.