The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Transit Policing Division, will participate in the annual summer community celebration, National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2, 2016. Partnering with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Sheriff’s Transit deputies, security assistants, and volunteers, will set up at several Metro locations, on several different Metro lines, to interact with Metro patrons, hand out safety material, and advise those interested in career opportunities with the LASD and Metro.
While most agencies and community organizations celebrate during the evening hours, as the name implies, LASD Transit and Metro personnel will staff several locations beginning at 7 AM, and be there until 7 PM. Team Leader Deputy Gary De Bondt, is the community relations deputy for LASD Transit, and explains that the reason for the extended hours is to better serve the spirit of the meaning of the national celebration. “We didn’t want patrons to feel that they only had a few hours to meet up with us and say hello. Some folks are way too busy in the evenings. With some of our locations being staffed along with Metro beginning in the morning, patrons can stop by all day long and see what’s new, ask questions, and find out how to be a safe member of the transit community.”
LASD Transit Division Chief Ronene Thomas, who will be out at the Union Station location from 1 to 2 PM to meet with Metro patrons and answer questions, remarked about the importance of events like these. “I’ve said many times that we are like a moving city. Our transit patrons rely on a safe, economical, and efficient way to get around, and that’s why they Go Metro or ride Metrolink.” Chief Thomas also stated, “we’re really glad to have an opportunity to meet some of our transit neighbors in a setting like this. However, we strive to make everyday a national day out to ditch your vehicle and take public transit.” LASD Transit Bureau North Captain Jennifer Bateman and Central Operations Bureau Captain Sergio Mancilla may join Chief Thomas at Union Station, schedules permitting. Transit Bureau South Captain Karl Schow will greet patrons at the 7th/Metro location from 4-5 PM..
Specialized units within the Sheriff’s Transit Division, such as the Explosives Detection K9’s, and the Threat Interdiction Unit, will also be on hand from 1 to 2 PM with displays at the Union Station location so that patrons can get a glimpse of just some of the ways that their transit policing agency keeps them safe. Metro will also staff the numerous locations with Community Relations Ambassadors and Volunteers. Metro also plans on having either “P2000” or “Metro Local”, the Metro robots, greet the kids at the Union Station location from 11 AM to 12 PM.
Here is a complete list of locations and hours where Metro and LASD Transit will celebrate National Night Out:
Union Station
800 N Alameda Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
7 AM – 7 PM
7th/Metro Station – Blue/Red Line
660 S Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
7 AM - 7 PM
Target in Azusa – Gold Line
809 N Azusa Avenues3c4wx3w
Azusa, CA 91702
6:30 PM – 9 PM
National Night Out Duarte – Gold Line
1042 Huntington Drive
Duarte, CA 91017
5:30 PM - 8 PM
East LA Civic Center – Gold Line
4801 E 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90022
5 PM – 9 PM
National Night Out – Expo Line
1615 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
6 PM – 8 PM
National Night Out - Expo Line
2200 Virginia Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404
6 PM – 8 PM
National Night Out - Blue Line
1201 East 59th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90001
5:30 PM – 8 PM
Partner to prevent crime by calling LASD Transit Policing at (888) 950-SAFE(7233), or if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also text the letters “TIPLA” plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Please remember, if you SEE SOMETHING that you believe is suspicious or doesn’t look right to you, SAY SOMETHING by calling: (888) 950-SAFE (7233), or your local police department. You can also use the Transit Watch LA App, to report crime or advise of something/someone suspicious on the transit system. The App can be downloaded at the Apple App Store, or on Google Play for Android Devices. http://transitwatchla.org/ (remember though, calling is always best!!)
To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the LASD via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD-Transit Policing Division HQ, Los Angeles County Sheriff" and also register for your local LASD station area. Or, text “LASD Transit HQ” to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply, depending on your calling plan.
Written by / Media Inquiries:
Ramon Montenegro, L.E.T.
Transit Policing Division – Public Information Officer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(213) 922-3649
24 Hr.: (888) 950-SAFE (7233)
Email: [email protected]
Transit Watch LA website: http://www.transitwatchla.org/
LASD website: www.lasd.org
Twitter: @TransitLASD http://twitter.com/TransitLASD
Facebook LASD Metro Transit Services: http://www.facebook.com/LASDMetroTransitServices
Instagram LASD Transit Photos: http://www.instagram.com/LASDTransitPIO
Periscope LASD Transit PIO: http://www.periscope.com/LASDTransitPIO
Address/Location
LASD - Transit Policing Division, Los Angeles County Sheriff
One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop: 99-PL-15
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-Emergency: (888) 950-SAFE (7233)
Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
