The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) has launched its new Care-Based Services Division, representing a strategic policy shift in its approach to public safety. The initiative integrates social services, mental health support, and crisis intervention alongside traditional law enforcement efforts. Led by Senior Executive Officer Craig Joyce, the division’s stated goal is to provide a comprehensive and effective safety model, particularly in response to the transit system’s population experiencing homelessness. The program is supported by internal metrics reporting a 38% reduction in homelessness on the transit system since 2023.
Story Highlights
- The Care-Based Services Division operates under the LA Metro Department of Public Safety.
- The model integrates social services, mental health professionals, and crisis intervention teams with police personnel.
- The strategy aims to decrease reliance on traditional law enforcement for non-criminal incidents.
- Internal LA Metro data indicates a 38% reduction in observed homelessness on the transit system since 2023.
LA Metro Division Establishment and Operations
On January 12, 2026, LA Metro formally established the Care-Based Services Division within the Department of Public Safety. The division, overseen by Senior Executive Officer Craig Joyce, integrates existing programs such as the ambassador program, homeless outreach teams, and crisis response units. This structure is intended to create an integrated public safety response that combines social support with traditional policing. The initiative follows a unanimous June 2024 Metro Board decision to develop an in-house Department of Public Safety by 2029, a move that transitions away from sole reliance on the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for transit security.
Outrage as LA Metro deploys social workers to fight rampant crime: ‘Holistic approach to public safety’ https://t.co/2qBcTaPbUc #LA #Transit #LAMetro #LosAngeles #Transportation #LANews
— MyTransit Los Angeles (@MyTransit_LA) January 17, 2026
Organizational Structure and Leadership
The implementation is led by key organizational personnel. Craig Joyce, with a background of over 15 years in social services, directs the new division. Coordination between the care-based teams and traditional policing is managed by Metro Chief of Police William Scott. Metro Board Chair Fernando Dutra and CEO Stephanie Wiggins have publicly supported this integrated policy approach, emphasizing the role of mental health support as a component of public safety.
The division’s operational objective is to improve response times and allocate non-criminal crisis calls to appropriate services, thereby reducing the operational demands on law enforcement. This coordinated effort is projected to enhance the experience for all riders, specifically assisting unhoused individuals and those with mental health needs.
Initial Policy Reception and Future Considerations
The rollout of the Care-Based Services Division has generated diverse responses from public safety and policy analysts. Proponents describe the program as a modern, integrated model that effectively aligns enforcement with social service provision, citing the documented reduction in homelessness as evidence of its operational potential. Conversely, critics and policy analysts have expressed reservations regarding the effectiveness and operational feasibility of deploying social service personnel for public safety incidents, raising procedural concerns about staff training and resource allocation. The Metro Board’s decision aligns with developing national trends in public transit policy that prioritize a trauma-informed and resource-efficient approach to community safety. The outcomes of the division will be subject to ongoing evaluation and may inform similar public safety initiatives in other major urban transit systems.
Watch: METRO announces more law enforcement along system in 2026 to improve safety
Sources:
Metro launches new public safety division | 2 Urban Girls
Metro Public Safety Department launches new Care-Based Services Division
Outrage as LA Metro deploys social workers to fight rampant crime: ‘Holistic approach to public safety’
LA Metro launches care-based public safety division
