Editorial Interns
In an effort to increase use of the Blue Line and to improve riders’ safety, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) will now patrol the portion of the route that runs through Long Beach, Mayor Robert Garcia announced Thursday.
After stepping off the Blue Line train at the Willow Station around 10:30am, the mayor and other officials spoke during a press conference to explain the changes that will come down the rails Saturday.
“The goal is simple,” Garcia said, “and that’s to make the Long Beach Blue Line the safest line in the system.”
The goal will be achieved through a collaboration between the LBPD, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and other groups.
“Metro is very happy to be joined by Long Beach in providing additional security on the Blue Line,” said Susan Walker, director of Physical Security for Metro. “They will join the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in ensuring our passengers are safe.”
According to a press release from the City of Long Beach, $30.1 million has been awarded to be used over five years to help hire about 30 police personnel to patrol the eight Blue Line stations in Long Beach.
The funding was made possible through the efforts of Garcia, who joined the Metro Board to help influence changes in Long Beach, he said.
“The mayor is basically being very modest,” said 7th District Councilmember Roberto Uranga. “If not for his participation in the Metro Board, I don’t think this would have happened as quickly as it has.”
Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna emphasized the advantage of local officers’ familiarity with the area and its associated crime patterns.
“Starting on Saturday, […] our residents will see their own police officers on the Blue Line patrolling, being friendly and encouraging people to ride and feel safe,” Luna said.
A key change in safety for the riders will be in response time, Garcia said.
“The average response time for an officer prior to our taking over security was about 14 minutes,” Garcia said, “and we expect to dramatically reduce the response time down to hopefully about four minutes.”
In addition to modifications in Long Beach, Metro is making changes to the entire Blue Line.
“Metro is putting in about a billion dollars’ worth of improvements on the Blue Line,” Garcia said.
Metro will be replacing all the old trains and rails, increasing the speed, and synchronizing the lights in Long Beach.
“What you’re going to see is not only a safer Blue Line,” Garcia said, “but you’re also going to see a Blue Line that is faster, that is more efficient and that will not be breaking down at the rate it is currently breaking down.”
