A recent string of violent attacks on the LA Metro have both riders and local leaders concerned about the current safety measures for the city’s public transportation system.

Last week there was a deadly shooting on a bus in Commerce, followed by a stabbing in Lynwood and later another attack occurred with a person wielding a wrench as a weapon.

Today there is an LA Metro board meeting to discuss new safety proposals in response to the recent wave of violence.

Lindsey Horvath, chair of the County Supervisors and an LA Metro board member, joined “Inside the Issues” host Amrit Singh to discuss the safety concerns of the Metro system.

Horvath says she rides the metro occasionally and feels safe when doing so, but she understands that her experience is not shared by all.

“People have experienced real issues and we have to take that seriously,” Horvath said.

There was a 66% increase in reported crimes in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same time last year, according to a Metro report.

Horvath introduced a motion that will invite law enforcement officials from the Los Angeles sheriff’s department LAPD and other law enforcement agencies to their June board meeting to discuss ways to improve public safety.

“We have a layered approach to safety at Metro, it’s not just law enforcement…we have a lot of folks who can be throughout the system,” Horvath said.

Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, who is the chair of the Metro board, introduced a motion that would increase law enforcement’s presence by requiring police officers to be physically on buses and trains as opposed to just monitoring stations.

Horvath emphasized it’s going to require more than just adding police officers to make riders feel safer while taking public transportation.

“We have to use the right tools for the right issues…the law enforcement contracts have increased and yet crime has increased since 2020. So that alone is not going to be the right solution.”