Phoenix officials report mixed results from expanded light rail security; Nineteenth Avenue remains a concern

Phoenix Police Department transit commanders and Valley Metro officials told the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee on Feb. 5, 2025, that stepped-up enforcement, new customer-experience staff and planned contract changes have reduced some incidents on the light rail system but have not erased persistent problems on the Nineteenth Avenue corridor.

The subcommittee heard data and operational details from Commander Leif Myers of the Phoenix Police transit unit and Adrian Reese, Valley Metro director of safety and security. Commander Myers said the transit unit maintains four enforcement squads (two first shift, two second shift), with 13 detectives and 24 police assistants assigned and four sworn vacancies. “We did over 1,400 criminal investigative reports…we made over 1,700 arrests, and we submitted over 4,500 criminal charges for prosecution,” Myers said.

Why it matters: Light rail is a major, city-funded transit system that averaged about 10.2 million boardings in 2024; public safety concerns affect ridership, neighborhood quality of life and budgetary choices. Council members pressed officials for corridor-level detail and community outreach after presentations showing reduced passenger assaults in some periods but hotspots remaining along Nineteenth Avenue.

Officials’ account of changes and results Valley Metro said its security and customer-experience strategy combines contract security (Allied…