Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Metro Transit Expands Winter Light-Rail Patrols With Highest Staffing Since 2021

The agency seeks to rebuild rider confidence by putting uniformed staff on most trips during peak and late hours.

Overview

  • Starting this weekend, uniformed police, community service officers, ambassadors or contract security will patrol nearly every light-rail route.
  • Metro Transit will field 116 police officers and 26 community service officers, a deployment officials describe as a visible presence across trains and stations.
  • Interim Chief Joseph Dotseth reports a 21% year-over-year drop in serious crimes such as robbery, assault and theft on the system.
  • Metro Transit’s website shows total reported incidents rose to 6,615 in the first three quarters of 2025 from 5,468 in the same period last year.
  • Ridership remains well below 2019 levels, and a new customer survey is underway after 2024 findings showed 41% feel safe on trains and 36% at stations.