The “TAP to exit” program at the North Hollywood Metro station seems to be reducing crime, officials say.
There has been a 40% drop in reported crime and violent incidents — including a reduction in fights, disturbances, drug use and graffiti — at the station and across the entire B line, as per Metro’s Transit Watch App.
“In a bilingual station survey of over 100 passengers at the North Hollywood station, nine in ten customers reported feeling safer and noticed cleaner stations and trains since the pilot program started,” the spokesperson said. “Metro staff is now assessing the results of the program and it is expected to provide recommendations to expand it to other Metro stations.”
Statistics released by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department show that of the 153 violent crimes perpetrated on the Metro system between May 2023 and April 2024, 143 of them — more than 93% — were believed to be committed by people who did not pay a valid fare and were using the transit system illegally.
At the end of last month, Metro officials announced they would be moving forward with plans to establish their own police department, as they had between 1978 and 1997, before it was merged with the LAPD and LASD.