Story perspectives

LA Metro Launches Social Worker Division to Combat Transit Violence

1/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) launched a care-based services division to replace armed enforcement with social workers to address violence in the transit system.
The division merges unarmed staff and homeless outreach workers.
Recent data show a rise in aggravated assaults, with 4,354 total crimes reported in 2025.
Traditional law enforcement remains present, and a new in-house police force is expected to be operational by 2029.

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Story summary

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) launched a care-based services division to replace armed enforcement with social workers to address violence in the transit system.
The division merges unarmed staff and homeless outreach workers.
Recent data show a rise in aggravated assaults, with 4,354 total crimes reported in 2025.
Traditional law enforcement remains present, and a new in-house police force is expected to be operational by 2029.