Public transit riders can expect to see more uniformed officers and agents on light rail systems and stations this winter.
“Nothing is more important to us than providing a consistently safe, clean and welcoming experience on transit,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said during a press conference. “Our customers have told us they feel safer when we are highly visible, so we are working hard to coordinate and expand all our layers of official presence this winter and beyond.”
In an effort to promote safety on public transit systems in the Twin Cities, Metro Transit announced Wednesday that there will be an increase in Metro Transit police officers, agents and staff presence on rides during peak travel times and toward the end of operational hours. The effort is a part of the agency’s Safety and Security Action Plan.
“Our message is clear,” Interim Metro Transit Police Chief Joe Dotseth said during the conference. “Crime will not be tolerated on Metro Transit, and those who commit crimes will be held accountable. But we also recognize some people in our system need help, not handcuffs.”
Reducing crime and providing resources
Earlier this year, officers implemented a new initiative, Safe and Strong University Avenue, which involved coordination between law enforcement, service providers and prosecutors aimed at reducing crime and providing resources, including addiction treatment and housing services to those in need. Dotseth said the Safe and Strong model has become a part of the department’s normal practice in their approach to public safety.
“Our officers want to get people the help they need,” Dotseth said.
Dotseth referred to the partnership initiative between Metro Transit police officers and Community Service Officers, Transit Riders Investment Program (TRIP) Agents, and supplemental security officers as a multi-layered approach.
Officers are expected to not only increase their visible presence on rides, but also show an increase in proactive enforcement, Dotseth said. Community Service Officers, TRIP Agents and outreach workers are tasked with educating riders on codes of conduct, providing people with support services, are available to answer riders’ questions and are trained in de-escalation tactics to ensure the safety of passengers, according to Dotseth.
“This coordinated approach means we can, we will, and we are improving the rider experience,” Dotseth said.
More officers and staff employed
According to Metro Transit, the agency is at its highest staffing rate since 2021, with a current total of 116 police officers and 26 Community Service Officers, close to 100 TRIP Agents by the end of the year and more than 200 supplemental security officers who “are being trained to provide coverage at high-traffic locations,” according to the agency.
Security officers who “serve as eyes and ears on the system, discouraging behavior like smoking, and contacting police when there is criminal activity,” have been contracted to add to the onboard presence from police officers, Community Service Officers and TRIP Agents, according to Metro Transit. Metro Transit has to have security officers stationed at 15 “busy boarding locations” for up to 24 hours a day, according to the agency.
Security officers are currently at nine locations and will be added on the Green Line’s Snelling Avenue Station and the Blue Line’s Warehouse District and Nicollet Mall stations.
“We’re more visible and present than anytime that I can recall in my 21 years,” Dotseth said during the conference. “With the signs of this progress, we know we still have work to do. The job is not done until every rider feels safe on every trip.”
Metro Transit’s 2025 budget for public safety-related expenses, including the Metro Transit Police Department, Transit Rider Investment Program and supplemental security was close to $74 million. The proposed 2026 budget would increase spending to more than $93 million, according to the agency. The operating budget relies on a mix of funding from the motor vehicle sales tax revenue, federal grants, a regional sales tax, fares and state general funds, according to Metro Transit.
Rider perceptions
Dotseth said that serious crime on public transit is down 21% percent in the Twin Cities and officer-initiated calls for service are up 129% compared to 2024.
“We are making a difference,” Dotseth said. “There is still work to do, but we’re making a difference.”
Kandaras and Dotseth said many riders have already expressed feeling safer with the increased visibility of officers on public transit. Kandaras said the agency conducts an annual customer satisfaction survey and is currently running one for 2025. Based on responses from last year’s survey, Kandaras said riders reported feeling safer than they had before.
“We’re eagerly awaiting results from the survey out now,” Kandaras said.
Dotseth said that on top of pursuing initiatives to encourage rider safety, Metro Transit’s marketing team is actively trying to find new ways to encourage people to take public transit.
“If people have ideas on what we should do, they should definitely send them to Metro Transit,” Dotseth said.
An additional campaign focused on attracting more police officers to the department will launch this fall, and a program that provides Community Service Officers with tuition assistance as they pursue law enforcement degrees will continue, according to Metro Transit.
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