The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Monday announced it will accept applications through Nov. 13 from people looking to serve on its new Transit Public Safety Advisory Committee.
Metro officials said the committee will be established to re-envision transit safety and explore community-based approaches to policing.
“It is prudent for Metro to begin reevaluating its safety strategies to ensure it is meeting the needs and expectation of our riders,” Metro CEO Phillip Washington said. “We look forward to working with the community and our riders to re-envision our approaches to transit policing.”
Metro said it is encouraging frequent transit riders, transit advocates and members of community-based organizations to apply.
In selecting members for the TPSAC, Metro said it will appoint a diverse board, including different perspectives from various races, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, income levels, geographic locations, immigration statuses, housing statuses and people living with disabilities.
The committee is planned to have 15 members with three alternates.
Metro officials said they are in the process of reevaluating the transit agency’s safety strategies to ensure it meets the needs and expectations of transit riders. Metro officials said this is taking place as the agency considers the renewal of its multiagency law enforcement police contract in 2022.
The TPSAC will give Metro the opportunity to consult with key law enforcement experts and community members as the agency works toward ensuring a more accountable culture of policing, agency officials said.
Membership appointments will run through June 2022. Applications for membership are available online at www.metro.net/riding/public-safety-advisory-committee/.