The Westlake/MacArthur Park Station, one of L.A. Metro’s busiest stations with approximately 20,000 daily passengers, is historically also its most dangerous. Last February, 113 crimes were reported at the station, and nearly one police call was made from the station every day over a two-month period last summer.
L.A. Metro is undertaking initiatives to enhance safety at the station. Among these measures are improved lighting and changes to the ambiance. Stephen Tu, Senior Director at L.A. Metro, notes that brighter LEDs have replaced some of the lights in the station and a breeze is now being blown onto the platforms to deter illicit activities.
The Metro also blocked off one of the station’s two entrances, directing all passengers to a single entrance where officers check for valid fares. This measure has reportedly improved safety and reduced the number of homeless people seeking shelter in the station.
A recent Metro report revealed people living in the station’s corridors, leaving behind trash, drugs, human waste, and discarded condoms and syringes. Changes outside the station include a new Sky Watch unit, more lighting, and fencing.
A significant part of Metro’s approach to safety is its ambassador program, which started at the Westlake/MacArthur Park Station and has expanded to over 300 Ambassadors across the entire transit system. These ambassadors, while not armed, have been trained to use Narcan to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. This year, 22 people have died on Metro buses and trains, mostly from suspected overdoses, surpassing last year’s total.