Reimagining Public Safety & Security on Transit

We’re working with local community-based organizations to increase our ability to provide community-informed training on anti-racism, cultural competency, mental health and de-escalation techniques. In March 2022, we issued a request for proposals for trainings for our front-line staff and system partners. Proposals are due March 25.

We’re working in partnership with Multnomah County Public Health and other community partners to develop a new crisis team pilot model. The aim is to develop an approach that could address mental and behavioral health issues as well as other quality of life challenges on and near our transit system.

The Reimagine Public Safety Committee meets monthly to further define recommendations to TriMet leadership and the Board of Directors through 2022. After that, the recommendations will be fully integrated into TriMet’s efforts as we focus on continued improvement of our safety and security.

We developed and launched a new pilot program for TriMet personnel to ride MAX at night, providing more presence and support for riders.

We created an unarmed Safety Response Team. The team is now on the transit system providing outreach to those who need it.

We created a new IT and safety task force to review security technology needs. We’ve started implementing new safety and security features into our projects, and on buses and MAX.

We completed a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) study at three transit centers. We’ve started integrating better features for safety and security at Gateway, Parkrose and Gresham transit centers.

Transit system security personnel participated in new trainings focused on creating a safe and welcoming system for all. TriMet staff and contracted personnel participated in de-escalation, mental health first aid, microaggression and other trainings.