LA Metro, sheriff outline layered safety, outreach and reporting plans ahead of Gold Line opening

LA Metro and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Transit Services Bureau told the San Dimas City Council on June 24 they are coordinating a multi-layered safety effort for the Gold Line extension set to open later this summer.

Acting Captain Brian Jones of the Sheriff’s Transit Services Bureau described dedicated transit teams that will ride trains and work platform details, K‑9 units trained for suspicious packages, and nine bonus deputies trained in mental‑health de‑escalation. “We utilize a community based approach, coupled with the proactive policing measures that we have,” Jones said.

Rob Gummer, deputy chief of systems security and law enforcement for LA Metro, described Metro’s security operations center and a 26,000‑square‑foot emergency facility that combines security operations with emergency coordination. “Nothing’s more important to us than safety and the safety of our patrons and employees,” Gummer said, adding that Metro is deploying ambassadors, transit-security officers and contract security alongside law enforcement.

Councilmembers asked how the agencies will handle behavioral‑health incidents and rare critical events such as suicides at grade‑separated crossings. One councilmember warned, “At some point, there will be a suicidal person standing on that bridge,” and asked for joint drills and clear coordination among Metro, the sheriff’s station and fire resources. Metro and the sheriff’s representatives described repeated multiagency exercises conducted in the region and said they will continue environmental‑intervention patrols, crisis negotiation and follow‑up casework.

Metro staff also urged riders to use the TransitWatch mobile app to report safety and maintenance issues. “You can download it on your phone… it’ll triangulate your location utilizing GPS,” the presenter said, adding that security reports are routed to Metro’s security operations center and maintenance issues to Metro’s help desk.

Metro and the sheriff’s office detailed local staffing plans: deputies assigned out of nearby Irwindale, shift coverage designed for continuous service, and an on‑line incident log so users can track the status of reports. Both agencies said they will work with San Dimas staff and its contracted outreach provider on coordinated case management for people experiencing homelessness.

The presentation closed with councilmembers pressing for continued communication and the city staff offering to host follow‑up coordination. Metro and sheriff’s representatives said they will provide contact information for local team leads and continue meeting with city staff as station openings approach.

The council heard the presentation and followed with questions; no formal vote was associated with this item.