Concerns over safety on L.A. Metro system 

richest country in the world can't protect their citizens on public transports, let alone keep it clean. embarrassing

They need POLICE/Sheriffs on the trains. PERIOD !! Not Ambassadors, POLICE 🚨

I have a novel idea, arrest the criminals that are causing the problem.

I used to ride the metro everyday from 2007 to 2014 and it was fairly safe. A year ago I tried riding the metro and it has become so dangerous.

I hate to say it as an L.A. resident, but the MTA transit system has gone downhill. A simple step would be to IMMEDIATELY kick out any loiterers, transients, homeless, etc., from the metro stations, around the stations, all trains and buses. They have the security staff to do it. What are the L.A.P.D., Sheriffs Department and Metro security doing when I see them in the stations? They certainly aren't kicking people out who shouldn't be there. The transit system is there for a purpose: To get people to their destinations. It's not there to as a place for people to stay. OK, there's a homeless crisis, but the solution isn't to let people live in the transit system.

I was in LA back in March and that Red Line is scary asf. The amount of homeless and addicts on that line alone is staggering. We have to be careful out there at all times

As a Woman, I carry a plastic cover for the seats, AND at ALL times I carry personal protection and I stay ready. Ladies carry protection and be ready to use it. Stay aware of your surroundings ❤

I used to ride. I don't now. Too many bad encounters. A disability makes it even less likely I will ride soon.

Avoid the metro!! I can’t stress that enough! I’ve lived in DT for 20+ years and volunteered at USC+LAC emergency dept and thought I’d seen it all till I started taking the metro line. It’s literally out of the mad max movies. You can be harassed and attacked at any moment! A huge embarrassment for the city and for some odd reason with all the tax dollars thrown at the homelessness issue, our elected politicians can’t seem to get a handle on it. Their go to policy is to defund the police, hire these worthless ambassadors and to not prosecute the criminals.

So vote for people who will prosecute and jail criminals, no matter their "status" or "hardship" they've gone through.

The worst thing about it is the smell

What used to happen is when the trains got to the end of the line they used to kick everybody off the train. The station platforms used to have cameras. The Ambassadors are just there for assistance I doubt they have authority to enforce laws.

I use to ride the metro back in 2009-2010 and I remember it was really clean. I remember that I had just came back from a trip from Paris and noted how the LA metro looked nicer and cleaner than the Paris one. It sucks that the LA metro has gone downhill.

if you go to train stations and subways in Europe theres armed military patrolling. We should do the same thing in LA

I went on the metro yesterday and a homeless man was smoking cigd and a blunt with a cart full of people. Just crazy.

As a former avid Metro rider, there is one major step we can take: Simply enforce the ticketing requirement. Much of the bad element would be stopped at the door. Also, Metro already has anti-loitering rules, etc. we just need to enforce them. Considering the cost of other projects in the system are $1B+, safety and enforcement should just be considered as another project- otherwise many people (like me) will simply avoid public transit. What's the point of investing in a system if no one wants to use it?

We're living in a world gone mad. A world of killing sprees and violence and extreme poverty. Our political "leaders" DO NOT care about us as long as they have a great salary and nice perks. WE SUFFER.

Better start sending out social workers to deal with the crazies.

Sad how far down we have gone as a society.

I used to ride the LA Metro back in 2001-2002. It was dirty and some homeless but it was fine. Now it looks like crazy af. I wish they will increase the security and advanced gate system with face recognition or fingerprint scanned ticket system like other countries. lol I know that wont happen in the US anytime soon.

Keeping voting democrats in.

I used LA Metro for several years before the pandemic. Lucky for me I am able to qualify for the Access Paratransit program which provides curb to curb rides to each place I need to go. I wouldn't try to ride metro at this time. however, when I was homeless, and unable to access shelter I did have to ride both buses and trains at night which for me was safer then being on the streets late at night. I was lucky, I am street smart, and so nobody bothered me but I think that right now the level of violence in general has increased, not just on public transportation, but even going out in public anywhere.

ew, don't EVER sit down on those chairs. Disgusting.

A mobile mental asylum. It makes going to work exciting.

I remember when they checked tap cards, but this stopped around that terrorist attack in Paris

"recently" that is a lie metro been unsafe since I used to ride it and that was like 13 years ago...

How about not letting homeless people who don’t pay anyways to gain access to the metro period.

If California and the United States is to many any progress towards becoming a less car-dependent society, these issues MUST be fixed COMPLETELY. Amtrak and countless transit systems throughout the world know how to do this - just kick any disruptive passengers out of the system! Also, California *really* needs to allow self-defense and weapons ownership if they're not going to police crime. The citizens will *happily* deal with violent criminals on public transit if allowed to!

Don't pay it's free

Finally! I ride the metro everyday to work. I work at a law firm. I fear for my life daily. I’ve been punch and almost SA by different homeless man. The metro is not safe to ride. Homeless take advantage of the elderly. I met a elderly couple who told me that a homeless man try to steal their eye glasses. Homeless always smoke drugs inside the cart and intimidate people. FYI- we do not need Ambassadors. We need security and police officers riding the carts.

Garcetti and DA gascon have destroyed los angeles Karen bass doesn't care either Its only gonna get worse

There is no fare enforcement at all. Anyone can get on the metro without paying a fare. The millions and millions spent by Metro are enriching contractors but the riding public is getting screwed. Why does metro allow drug use, people masturbating and eating and all other kinds of antisocial behavior by riders? I don't know but I decided to stopped using metro. Mind-blowing! - A simple solution: only those who pay can ride. You don't need any studies or task forces to study the problem - just enforce the freaking fares.

Is not hard it's very simple each train car have a security officer and the ambassador on they're not just on the platform also don't be scared to tell the homeless people to leave also get the people selling candy sodas headphones water off the train also they attract the homeless

I got sick of angry men targeting women and getting away with it. They literally do everything to try and make women feel uncomfortable. Stalk you, sit next to you, pace near you, yell in your face. Same thing in San Diego.

Honestly, it would be better that Lapd and the sheriffs will be on patrol for both the buses and trains. I remember it more than 10 years ago that the sheriffs were very very active on one checking with the train stations and everywhere else to make sure that everything is safe. But right now it’s just we need them or maybe Elise the new contract for Metro to share that they will be law enforcement around. I ride metro every day for decades just to get to work and school. Please at least do something for the city

Quite an accomplishment for LA agents of destruction. Third world countries have safer and cleaner metros! Kudos to Mayor Basscetti!

Go back to fare enforcement asap!

I’ve taken it after attending events at LA historic park, or in Downtown LA and yeah that thing is sketch as hell. I’m a 32 yr old male that can hold his own if needed and I always have my head on a swivel when I’ve used it. Last week when I rode it was extra sketch and noticed one homeless guy following me, so I don’t recommend women ride if they can avoid it or if not in groups. I’m just going to stick to Uber/Lyft myself when possible. Unfortunately everyone can’t afford that.

How about monitoring and enforcing who is waiting on the platforms and riding in the train cars? Things won’t get better until Metro prevents fare evaders and homeless using cars and platforms as hotels.

I had to ride the train to Valencia from L.A. for a long while during the Christmas season and I NEVER used the restroom, always sat nearest the train conductor and always with other people. I also carried a knife, pepper spray, and a stun gun. Only once I had a weird experience with a homeless guy who looked like he was on something. He sat across from me (mind you this is at 6am) and kept giving this grin while eyeing me up and down. I immediately got up and walked toward the front and left walking backwards while holding the knife in my hand. But, honestly, working in Downtown L.A. is the same experience merely walking the streets. The homeless, mentally ill, and criminal crap is nothing new. I just hope the police know that a lot more people are going to be carrying whatever is necessary to protect themselves. I do.

Ladies carry pepper spray or a taser.

There's a lot of people that use a metro transportation but really people don't care of the safety. There were Guards checking Who paid in the train but nowadays. Nobody uses a tap card anymore on the metro bus and the train And gets free rides or put in a dollar only It's even more of a concern because of homelessness Getting free ride as well And there's also violence inside the bus

Keep it , 100- Bring the Sheriffs back!

Loud music and ambassadors are the only things our high taxes can afford 🤡🤡🤡

The "ambassadors" are a joke. They pretty much just talk to other ambassadors or look at their cell phones...that's if you see them at all. I wouldn't advise anyone to ride the metro rail alone, especially the subway part of their system. It's super sketchy and super scary. If Metro is aware of the problem, they are in no hurry to do anything about it...except maybe way overpay some consultants who never use the system who will probably recommend hiring more "ambassadors." It's a real embarrassment, along with being shameful and dangerous.

when you ride the Metro at night its a real Trip, even as a Man I have to keep my guard up because there are ALOT of mentally unstable people riding it, not just the homeless

fire extinguishers can serve double duty... 1) use like pepper spray on an attacking hobo 2) use to put out the hobo's fire

There is no reason to ever go to downtown Los Angeles. IF you do have to go, go with a friend and take an uber. The area as whole is troublesome. Sure, it doesn't happen to everyone but when it happens to you, you start to ask yourself, "It would had been easier and cheaper to take an uber instead of being a statistic in an assault."

"safety ambassadors"...LOL

I ride the Metro regularly from ktown to downtown. A lot of the problems are caused by folks who aren’t even paid fare riders. Think about it - if you pay to ride the metro everyday you’re more likely to want it to be clean and safe. Better monitoring or security at the station entrances would be simple and go a long way.

What the reporters mention of Metro‘s newer plan to reduce crime rate will not help efficiently because the ambassadors are such an embarrassment. Avoid the Metro until things get better when their negligence has been exposed

IT'S BEEN A BIG MESS FOR YEARS. ACTUALLY IT HAS CLEANED UP ALOT COMPARED TO BEFORE. IT IS ACTUALLY LIKE A GHOST TOWN NOW THEY NEED TO FIX THE ELEVATORS AT HOLLY WOOD STATION ON SUNSET BLVD.

I ride the metro every time I go to Los Angeles I've never had a problem compared to Seattle

It seems things are getting better. I rode the E line to the Broad and then to Grand Central Market and it was great. Saw security officers on the trains and platforms as well as ambassadors. We also got off at the little Tokyo Arts District Station to checkout a coffee house. We only saw one issue with what seened a guy rhat was under the influence and the security officers talked to him and they arrested him because he was incoherent. But the guy was cooperative the whole time. No commotion. Overall, it was a great experience. I felt very safe and both rhe stations and trains were ckean

Thanks for sharing this

Expanding the lines instead of protecting the ones they have. I had my first really scary incident on a train last year and haven't been back since.

How’s those LA Metro ambassadors working out for LA Metro 🤔 Unfortunately it’s going to get worse 🤬

I don’t understand about these ambassadors ? They don’t do anything waste of money 😑😑

you have one man to thank , George Gascon.

There is always an end game. What is the end game of allowing horrific Crimes and fifth to occur on these trains daily? Why is our Country unable or maybe unwilling to address this Epidemic of Violence?

Let’s see if current mayor can fix homeless problem till 2028 LA Olympic. If she can’t, she and Los Angeles will show a huge embarrassment to the world. My guess, it will be a disaster.

metro subway needs custodians smells like a urinal although a fast and convenient urinal that get you from point A to point P

This is y I encourage people to carry mace! My girlfriend carries it for that reason! We've had knives pulled on us and have almost had to use it. If it wasn't for police officers at the right place at the right time, she would have definitely sprayed them. I'm always on my guard on the metro trains. I never turn my back to anyone. Safe travels to those dealing with this!

We need to fix the Metro, when I was on it during my vacation to LA there were times where I felt uneasy. There were ambassadors there, but I don’t think that’s enough, more needs to be done. MUCH MORE.

Thanks for the video as it it my eyes opener. I am visiting next month and none of my friend gave green signal to use public transport. Shame to the management , a total failure.

Man that’s sad customers they have to go through that this evil world

I'm so tired of the homelessness

They need the sherriffs on the trains,undercover officers,constant clean up crews.

I haven't been taking the Metro as much, but I do take Metro on occasion. I've experienced much of this as well even for the very few times I've taken Metro.

2nd largest city in this country, but one of the most crappiest. Take bigger cities like Tokyo and Seoul and you don't even have these problems.

This is depressing. Only in the US is public transportation this dangerous...

When I lived in LA there was only the bus!

Who would have thought stealing water to build a city in the desert and putting people in a tunnel underneath it could go wrong?

My friend is a metro ambassador, and he told me a few days ago they found other metro ambassadors passed out from drug over dose ? To me, it looks more like the metro is waisting money to improve trains and buses ? Even then, I see nothing new ? Safety for riders ? Does metro carre ? Nope !

Glad I am retired. No more Metro for me...not Metro trains or buses. Too bad though as back in my days, public transportation was safe and good.

The safety ambassadors walk in groups of 3 and 4 only during the day in pretty safe areas. I never saw them when I needed them

I feel sorry for anyone who is stuck taking the metro red line. Get yourself in a better situation asap if you care about your life and health, physical and emotional...

Remember that brawl I got into on the train in 2019😂

Yesterday my ex decided to ask this homeless lady if she was okay because she was on the ground and she told us to leave her be and then the lady shows up at my apartment complex by my door because somehow she got in. Just stop being nice to these people. Sometimes it works and they are appreciative but then it is dangerous so be cautious.

I’m from SD I got high in LA and went down the escalator in 7th st metro central for my birthday last year. Good times

I love you ktla5 news ❤

Ambassadors really helping a whole lot

I've had very little problems riding Metro, A little uneasy a couple times, but nothing I could'nt handle. I'm one that has to rely on the buses and trains to get around. I just keep an eye open as I'm traveling somewhere.

L.A.Metro needs to do a survey? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Metro should really add Platform Edge Doors (PEDs), fare gates, and turnstiles at their light rail stations including surface stations so loopholes (legal, physical, etc.) in the gated system is sealed off and possibility for fare evasion due to no gates/turnstiles (NOT factoring gate/turnstile design flaw) is eliminated. With high-floor LRVs and platforms combined with PEDs and fare gates, then there is practically no way to enter gated fare control area via platform edge or anywhere other than official entrance. Some light rail stations with fare gates and turnstiles already present would only need PEDs.

Police and law enforcement need to be on the trains, not ambassadors. California is in the state of a humanitarian crisis and something needs to be done now. Having "ambassadors" on the trains IS A JOKE. Ambassadors are not the answer. We are in a mental health crisis and the sooner our city officials address this issue, the safer our streets and rail lines will start to be.

I've stopped riding the light rail and its been one of the best decisions I've ever made.

It’s been like this for years and no one’s cared till now.

Most incidents go unreported.

Asia has the cleanest and safest metro. Why can't US or Europe have nice, clean transits?

hey its the "why are you scared" reporter

IT'S A DISASTER!!!

Sounds like BART in the Bay Area.

Yeah, every time you're riding L.A. Metro there's a chance you might have an "unsavory" experience. But if you follow certain precautions, use your common sense, you should be able to avoid most problems. Like avoiding taking the train at late hours, especially the red and purple lines, and ignore the people who are yelling and acting erratically.

5/12/2024 Nothing has been done still…

Is Cora up here yet ?

I pretty much avoid the red line whenever possible

When that connector opens up, all the riff raff and homelessness will spread all the way to Azusa.

I'm going to need to ride it for myself and pay attention to the times and stops but I'll be more prepared for anything because of these stories.

The red line is disgusting , and so is the Long Beach line , so unfortunate since I have to take the one to Long Beach , haven’t been in Hollywood for over a decade cause of it