The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) is making changes at the agency’s Westlake/MacArthur Station as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to improve public safety and clean up the L.A. Metro system. The agency stated it has experienced too many drug overdoses and calls to police from the station.
The Westlake/MacArthur Station is a busy stop along the B (Red) and D (Purple) Lines for the many residents in the neighborhood and visitors to the park.
Some of the actions L.A. Metro is taking at Westlake/MacArthur Park Station include:
- Working with neighborhood stakeholders and city and county partners to reimagine the vendor marketplace and transform the plaza into a safe and active community space that supports local entrepreneurs and community events.
- Closing the secondary north entrance to the station to funnel all riders into the primary plaza entrance, which is just steps away. More foot traffic through the main entrance provides strength in numbers – something the public has requested. Having a single entrance allows L.A. Metro to better patrol the station and reduce misuse of empty station corridors.
- Adding lighting and closed-circuit cameras to the plaza to create a safer atmosphere and allow L.A. Metro to keep a better eye on activity there.
- New L.A. Metro ambassadors are at the station to assist riders, help identify issues and create a more welcoming atmosphere. L.A. Metro’s homeless outreach teams are also helping to connect unhoused riders and others who need help with social services.
- Adding a new station kiosk that will be fully staffed and easily visible to the public during station hours to help assist with customer questions and monitor the fare gates.
- Making more public address announcements to remind riders the station is being monitored.
- Added a dedicated custodial crew to the station and pressure washing several times a week.
- Expanding the intrusion system to keep trespassers from entering subway tunnels from the station.
