New Code of Conduct Policy Approved for Metro Transit Riders
Metro Transit says new security measures are helping to reduce crime for bus and light rail passengers.
The agency has also developed a new code of conduct that it hopes can improve the rider experience.
“We hear from property owners along the line, from the airport personnel, from the people that use our facilities that we’re improving,” said Charlie Zelle, chair of the Metropolitan Council, at a Minnesota House of Representatives hearing on Dec. 12. “We’re not where we need to be but we are definitely making headway.”
Transit officials say the new rider code of conduct policy sets clear expectations for transit customers.
Non-police officials will be able to issue administrative citations to riders that violate the code. Police officers can then deal with riders that continue to cause issues. Officials said it should free up police to investigate more serious crimes.
Metro Transit says new security measures are helping to reduce crime for public bus and light rail passengers.
Meanwhile, Metro Transit Police Chief Ernest Morales III said crime is trending down at the Brooklyn Center Transit Center.
“Brooklyn Center Transit Center — that was a little harder to get around,” Morales said. “We were having challenges there and experiences there, we wanted to put our finger on it. We knew we [could] call on our community based partners … to tackle those issues we were experiencing there. I’m happy to report that situation has improved and gotten better.”
Private security and social service providers like A Mother’s Love have helped to bring down crime rates, Morales said.
“Brooklyn Center Transit [Center], when we got there, everybody came there to fight,” said Lisa Clemons, CEO of A Mother’s Love. “So we’ve been there consistent.”
See also: Police: Crime Persists at Brooklyn Center Transit Center
